Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What should be the priority when managing a semiconscious patient?

1. Administer pain relief

2. Maintain an open airway

3. Keep the patient calm

4. Check for signs of infection

The correct answer is: Maintain an open airway

For a semiconscious patient, maintaining an open airway is of paramount importance. This priority is rooted in the fact that a semiconscious state can compromise a patient’s protective airway reflexes, increasing the risk of airway obstruction due to the tongue or secretions. An open airway is crucial because if the airway is blocked, it can lead to inadequate oxygen delivery to the lungs, which may result in hypoxia and subsequent organ failure if not addressed promptly. In emergency situations, ensuring that the airway is clear and can facilitate breathing is the first step in managing a patient's overall stability and safety. Once the airway is secured, other aspects of care, such as pain relief and assessing for infection, can be addressed, but they become secondary to the critical need for respiratory protection. Keeping the patient calm is also important but is of lesser immediate consequence compared to ensuring patency of the airway.