Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient's oxygen saturation starts dropping. What is the FIRST action?
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Correct answer: B. Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver (open the airway first)
✓ B) Head-tilt chin-lift (airway opening) is the FIRST action.
Airway obstruction is the most common cause of O₂ desaturation in dental patients (especially during sedation). The FIRST step in any unconscious or semi-conscious patient with O₂ drop: open the airway. Head-tilt chin-lift (or jaw thrust if cervical injury suspected) physically opens the oropharynx. If obstruction is relieved, O₂ will improve. THEN: supplemental O₂, THEN: call for help. Remember ABCDE: A = Airway (first always). Only after airway is managed do you address breathing and circulation.
Airway obstruction is the most common cause of O₂ desaturation in dental patients (especially during sedation). The FIRST step in any unconscious or semi-conscious patient with O₂ drop: open the airway. Head-tilt chin-lift (or jaw thrust if cervical injury suspected) physically opens the oropharynx. If obstruction is relieved, O₂ will improve. THEN: supplemental O₂, THEN: call for help. Remember ABCDE: A = Airway (first always). Only after airway is managed do you address breathing and circulation.
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