Question

You are assessing a male patient who was stabbed three times in the chest and abdomen. As you begin your primary assessment, you note him to have a decreased level of consciousness and gurgling respirations. Your next action would be to:

Select one:
a. check his pulse.
b. suction the airway.
c. obtain a SpO2 reading.
d. apply a cervical collar.

Answer 1

The immediate next action should be to suction the airway to clear any obstruction and ensure effective breathing. While other vital signs are also important, they come after airway management.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you are assessing a male patient with decreased level of consciousness and gurgling respirations due to stab wounds, your immediate next action should be to suction the airway. Gurgling respirations indicate the presence of blood or other fluids in the airway, which can obstruct the passage of air and lead to asphyxiation. Immediate airway management is critical to ensure the patient can breathe effectively. While monitoring vital signs like pulse and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) is important in patient management, they come after securing the airway. Suctioning will help remove the obstruction and allow for better ventilation. Applying a cervical collar is appropriate for trauma patients but not until the airway is secured, particularly if there is no suspicion of spinal injury at the moment.