You have inserted an oral airway and are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-mask device. She suddenly regurgitates large amounts of vomit. You should FIRST:

You have inserted an oral airway and are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-mask device. She suddenly regurgitates large amounts of vomit. You should FIRST:

• A. Increase ventilation rate and keep the oral airway in place.
• B. Suction the oropharynx while keeping the airway in place.
• C. Remove the mask and reassess.
• D. Roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway.

Answer: (D)

When vomiting occurs during airway management, protecting the airway and clearing the mouth is the top priority. Rolling the patient onto her side allows gravity to help drain the vomitus away from the airway, reducing the risk of aspiration. Removing the oral airway at this moment is important because it can become a conduit that pushes vomitus toward the larynx during continued bag-valve ventilation and it allows you to suction the oropharynx more effectively. After turning her, you should suction thoroughly to clear the mouth and oropharynx, then reassess and resume ventilation as appropriate.

When vomiting occurs during airway management, protecting the airway and clearing the mouth is the top priority. Rolling the patient onto her side allows gravity to help drain the vomitus away from the airway, reducing the risk of aspiration. Removing the oral airway at this moment is important because it can become a conduit that pushes vomitus toward the larynx during continued bag-valve ventilation and it allows you to suction the oropharynx more effectively. After turning her, you should suction thoroughly to clear the mouth and oropharynx, then reassess and resume ventilation as appropriate.