Moderate

A patient vomits while still drowsy after general anaesthesia. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct answer: A. Place the patient side lying and clear the airway

  • A. Place the patient side lying and clear the airway
  • B. Give oral water to remove the taste of vomit
  • C. Keep the patient flat and wait for recovery
  • D. Administer an antiemetic before checking breathing

Explanation

A drowsy patient has a reduced protective cough and is at risk of aspiration. Side lying allows secretions or vomit to drain while the nurse clears and assesses the airway before giving further treatment.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About Perioperative Nursing

Covers preoperative assessment, informed consent, surgical preparation, anaesthesia, intraoperative safety and postoperative recovery. It includes sterile technique, surgical positioning, wound and drain care, pain and nausea management, fluid balance, prevention of infection and recognition of complications such as haemorrhage, atelectasis and shock.

Practise Perioperative Nursing

50 free Perioperative 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 Perioperative Nursing questions