Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient accidentally swallows an RPD clasp during treatment. Which outcome would be MOST life-threatening?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. If it goes to the trachea (airway)
- A. Correct. Aspiration of a clasp into the trachea (airway) blocks airflow and can cause respiratory arrest — this is the life-threatening emergency. Objects entering the GI tract (esophagus, stomach) may pass naturally but objects in the trachea require immediate emergency intervention.
- B. Intestinal passage is a lower-risk GI event.
- C. Natural passage in stool means the object successfully navigated the GI tract — not life-threatening.
- D. Passage into the esophagus/stomach, while concerning, is less immediately life-threatening than airway compromise.
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