Question

How should a patient be positioned to reduce the risk of aspiration with projectile vomiting?

a) Supine with head elevated 30°
b) Left side-lying with the head elevated 15°
c) Right side-lying with the head elevated 45°
d) Prone with head turned to the side

Answer 1

A patient should be positioned supine with head elevated 30° to reduce the risk of aspiration with projectile vomiting.

Step-by-step explanation:

To reduce the risk of aspiration with projectile vomiting, a patient should be positioned in a) Supine with head elevated 30°.

By placing the patient in a supine position with the head elevated at a 30° angle, gravity helps to minimize the backflow of vomit into the lungs. This position allows the vomit to flow out of the mouth rather than down the throat.

This positioning is particularly important in preventing aspiration pneumonia, a serious condition that occurs when vomit enters the lungs and leads to infection and inflammation.