Management of an airway obstruction begins with immediate recognition and treatment. Place these nursing interventions in the appropriate order for initial care of a postanesthesia patient with airway obstruction

Question

1 . Positive-pressure mask ventilation
2 . Head tilt, chin lift maneuver (nonreactive patient)
3 . Insertion of oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway
4 . Intubation with mechanical intubation
5 . Stimulation of the patient
a. 1, 2, 3, 5, 4 c. 2, 3, 1, 5, 4
b. 5, 2, 3, 1, 4 d. 4, 2, 3, 1, 5

Answer 1

B
Initially, stimulation may be all that is necessary to relieve the obstruction. In a nonreactive patient, use the head tilt, chin lift maneuver to displace the tongue and open the airway. If unsuccessful, an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway is inserted. The patient can also be turned on his or her side to a lateral position, which facilitates the displacement of the tongue and drainage of secretions. If the obstruction is still unrelieved, positive-pressure mask ventilation, intubation, tracheotomy, or cricothyrotomy may be required.