Question

You are called for an elderly woman who has slipped on the ice. On arrival you find her supine on an icy sidewalk and responsive to painful stimuli with decorticate posturing (flexion). She has blood coming from a laceration on the back of her head and is breathing agonally at 4 times a minute. Which one of the following should you do immediately?
A) Start positive pressure ventilation.B) Insert a nasal airway.C) Perform the jaw-thrust airway maneuver.D) Remove the patient to the warm ambulance.

Answer 1

Answer: C) Perform the jaw-thrust airway maneuver.

Explanation:

The patient is suffering from breathing problem and her airways must be opened to allow breathing.

The jaw-thrust airway maneuver must be performed on elderly women. This is because of the fact that it is an ideal technique for patients who are suspected of having head or neck injury. This is done for patients who are unable to maintain their own airway during injury. The jaw-thrust maneuver is done by placing the index finger to lower jaw upwards and thumb is pulled down on the chin to open the mouth this will help to open the airway.