Question

After opening the airway of an unconscious elderly woman, you discover that there are thin secretions in her mouth. You should:

A. insert an oral airway.
B. assess her respiratory rate.
C. begin rescue breathing at once.
D. clear her airway with suction.

Answer 1

The correct action after finding thin secretions in an unconscious person's mouth is to clear the airway with suction before taking further steps.

Step-by-step explanation:

If upon opening the airway of an unconscious elderly woman, you discover that there are thin secretions in her mouth, you should clear her airway with suction. This will help prevent aspiration of secretions and maintain an open airway, which is essential for effective respiration. Inserting an oral airway may be appropriate only after ensuring the airway is not obstructed by secretions, while assessing respiratory rate and beginning rescue breathing should be subsequent steps after clearing the airway.