A patient suddenly develops noisy inspiratory breathing, difficulty speaking and central cyanosis after choking on food. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct answer: B. Assess the airway and call for emergency help
- A. Encourage the patient to drink warm water
- B. Assess the airway and call for emergency help
- C. Place the patient flat and elevate the legs
- D. Administer a prescribed oral bronchodilator
Explanation
Stridor, inability to speak normally and cyanosis indicate a life-threatening upper airway obstruction. The nurse first assesses and supports the airway while calling for emergency assistance; fluids, positioning for shock and oral medicines can delay definitive airway treatment.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Critical Care and Emergency Nursing
Covers rapid assessment and stabilisation of patients with airway obstruction, respiratory failure, shock, cardiac arrest, sepsis, poisoning and major electrolyte disturbances. It includes triage, the ABCDE approach, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventilator and monitor care, emergency medicines and distinguishing life-threatening deterioration from stable illness.
Practise Critical Care and Emergency Nursing
50 free Critical Care and Emergency Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Medical Surgical Nursing questions like this
Medical Surgical Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Critical Care and Emergency Nursing questions
An adult patient is unresponsive and has occasional gasping but no normal breathing. No pulse is felt after a brief assessment. What should the nurse do next?
A patient with severe pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 34 per minute, oxygen saturation of 82% and increasing confusion. Which nursing action has the highest priority?
A ventilated patient suddenly triggers a high-pressure alarm and becomes visibly distressed. What should the nurse do first?
A patient with profuse diarrhoea is pale, restless and clammy, with a weak rapid pulse and a blood pressure of 84/50 mmHg. Which intervention should the nurse prioritise?