An elderly woman experienced a closed head injury when she fell down five steps. She is responsive to painful stimuli and her breathing is irregular and shallow. When evaluating her airway, you note that she has both upper and lower dentures. Her upper dentures are secure, but her lower dentures are loose. Prior to providing positive pressure ventilation, you would:

Here are some signs of serious head injuries: Altered consciousness, Skull deformities, Clear fluid from the ears or nose, Vision changes, and Nausea and vomiting.  First aid for head injuries includes: Encouraging the injured person to minimize any movement of their head or neck Controlling any significant blood loss from head wounds with direct pressure and a dressing Monitoring their airway and breathing until the arrival of an ambulance  Some signs of penetrating neck trauma include: Minor hemoptysis Hematemesis Dysphonia Dysphagia Subcutaneous, or mediastinal air Non-expanding... Show more

Here are some signs of serious head injuries: Altered consciousness, Skull deformities, Clear fluid from the ears or nose, Vision changes, and Nausea and vomiting. 

First aid for head injuries includes:
Encouraging the injured person to minimize any movement of their head or neck
Controlling any significant blood loss from head wounds with direct pressure and a dressing
Monitoring their airway and breathing until the arrival of an ambulance 

Some signs of penetrating neck trauma include:
Minor hemoptysis
Hematemesis
Dysphonia
Dysphagia
Subcutaneous, or mediastinal air
Non-expanding hematoma 

Some signs of airway injury include: dyspnea, hemoptysis, subcutaneous air, stridor, and hoarseness. 

Show less