Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

You are transporting an immobilized patient with severe facial trauma. As you are preparing to give your radio report to the hospital, the patient begins vomiting large amounts of blood. You should:

1. Turn the backboard onto its side

2. Elevate the patient's head

3. Administer oxygen

4. Call for immediate backup

The correct answer is: Turn the backboard onto its side

Turning the backboard onto its side is the most appropriate action when an immobilized patient begins to vomit large amounts of blood. This position helps to prevent the patient from aspirating the blood, which can lead to serious complications such as airway obstruction or respiratory distress. By positioning the patient on their side, you are allowing the blood to drain out of the mouth rather than pooling, which can obstruct the airway. It's crucial in this scenario to maintain the spine's immobilization, which is achieved by holding the patient still while managing the airway and preventing aspiration. While administering oxygen is important in trauma situations, if the patient is actively vomiting blood, ensuring that the airway is clear takes priority. Elevating the head might not be advisable because it can compromise the immobilization and potentially worsen any spinal injuries. Calling for immediate backup may be necessary, but the immediate priority in managing the airway is turning the patient to prevent choking on blood.