How should you position a patient who is unconscious to reduce aspiration risk?

How should you position a patient who is unconscious to reduce aspiration risk?

• A. Place in the lateral recovery position (side-lying), head turned to the side, with support.
• B. Place flat on the back with head extended.
• C. Keep in a prone position with head turned down.
• D. Sit upright in a chair.

Answer: (A)

Protecting the airway is the priority when a patient is unconscious. The side-lying recovery position does this best: it uses gravity to keep the airway clear and allows saliva or vomit to drain away from the throat. Turning the head to the side prevents the tongue from blocking the airway, and supporting the position helps the patient stay put and not roll onto the back or stomach. This setup reduces the chance of aspiration while you monitor or wait for further help. Lying flat on the back with the head extended can let the tongue or tissues occlude the airway and makes aspiration more likely. Prone with the head turned down can hinder breathing, and sitting upright in a chair doesn’t protect the airway or allow drainage if vomiting occurs.

Protecting the airway is the priority when a patient is unconscious. The side-lying recovery position does this best: it uses gravity to keep the airway clear and allows saliva or vomit to drain away from the throat. Turning the head to the side prevents the tongue from blocking the airway, and supporting the position helps the patient stay put and not roll onto the back or stomach. This setup reduces the chance of aspiration while you monitor or wait for further help.

Lying flat on the back with the head extended can let the tongue or tissues occlude the airway and makes aspiration more likely. Prone with the head turned down can hinder breathing, and sitting upright in a chair doesn’t protect the airway or allow drainage if vomiting occurs.