Medical Emergencies · single question
During crown delivery over an implant, the patient swallows the abutment screw. What is the BEST immediate course of action?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Escort the patient to the emergency room for a chest X-ray
- A. The Heimlich maneuver is only indicated for a CHOKING patient with a blocked airway — not for a patient who has swallowed an object and is breathing normally.
- B. Assuming the screw passed into the GI tract without radiographic confirmation is dangerous. Metal screws CAN cause GI perforation and must be localized radiographically.
- C. The BEST first step is to escort the patient to the emergency room for a chest/abdominal X-ray to LOCALIZE the screw. It must be determined whether the screw is in the esophagus/GI tract (may pass) or in the airway (emergency). Without radiographic confirmation, you cannot assume it passed safely.
- D. Call 911 is appropriate only if the patient shows signs of airway obstruction (choking, cyanosis, inability to speak). If the patient is stable and breathing normally, ER escort is the correct step.
Practice Medical Emergencies questions Medical Emergencies study notes