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Maxillofacial trauma airway — DipIMC MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModeratePre-Hospital Trauma ManagementMaxillofacial trauma airwayDipIMC

An unrestrained driver has severe facial bleeding, gurgling respirations and falling consciousness. Breath sounds are present and there is no major chest injury. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Suction the airway and position him to allow drainage

Option B is correct because Blood and tissue can obstruct the airway rapidly in facial trauma, so airway clearance and drainage positioning are immediate priorities. Option D is less appropriate because oxygen may be supportive, but it does not address the defining time-critical problem first; option C is less appropriate because vascular access is useful, but it should not delay the immediate priority. Option A is less appropriate because it is plausible in a different scenario but suboptimal for the features described; option E is less appropriate because delay would increase clinical risk. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: ATACC Manual; JRCALC Guidelines