Final answer:
When it is suspected that a patient has an air embolism, the first intervention should be to position the patient's left side.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it is suspected that a patient has an air embolism, the first intervention should be to position the patient's left side.
An air embolism occurs when air bubbles enter the bloodstream, which can be life-threatening. The most important initial intervention for a suspected air embolism is to position the patient on their left side. This helps prevent the air bubbles from entering the heart and lungs, reducing the risk of further complications.
By placing the patient on their left side, the air bubbles are more likely to rise to the right side of the heart, where they can be filtered out by the lungs. This position also helps improve blood flow and oxygenation to the vital organs.