Question

a 62 - year - old female with severe kyphosis fell and hit the back of her head, which is now oozing blood from a small laceration. family members state that she suddenly complained of a \very bad headache\ before collapsing to the kitchen floor. she has snoring respirations and cyanosis in the extremities. which intervention should you perform first?

a. cover the laceration
b. apply a cervical collar
c. start positive pressure ventilation
d. use a jaw - thrust maneuver

Explanation:

The patient has snoring respirations (indicating airway obstruction) and cyanosis (lack of oxygenation). The jaw - thrust maneuver is used to open the airway without moving the neck (important as there may be a spinal injury due to the fall). Covering the laceration (a) is not the first priority as airway is more critical. Applying a cervical collar (b) is for spinal immobilization but airway comes first. Positive pressure ventilation (c) is done after the airway is opened.

Answer:

d. Use a jaw - thrust maneuver