Question

18. You are providing care for a 73-year-old female who is having trouble walking. She is awake and appears alert. When you talk to the victim, it is clear that she is also having trouble speaking and the left side of her face appears to be drooping. Her husband tells you that this has never happened before. Based on this information, you should: A) place the victim on her back with feet and legs elevated 8 to 12 inches. B) place the victim on her side. C) place the victim flat on her back. D) place the victim on her back with head and shoulders slightly raised.

Answer 1

A 73-year-old patient having trouble in talking and left side of her face appears to be dropping. She also having trouble walking.

This appears to the symptoms of Left hemiplegia.

Here the main concern is oral and respiratory clearance because due to hemiplegia her left side body is not functioning properly(She has less control on the left side of the body).

Here positioning is very much important to avoid aspiration of oral secretions to lungs. In this case, to allow the oral section to come out a nurse should prefer a supporitive sideline position.

Answer - B) place the victim on her side.