You have been called for an elderly female who was found by family members on the floor of her bathroom. She is unresponsive and has a bruise to the right side of her face. Her respirations are snoring and shallow. Her skin is cool and dry, and she is incontinent of urine. Her daughter tells you that the patient has a past medical history of stroke, COPD, and seizures. Which intervention would be most appropriate when managing this patient's airway?

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. 

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