Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

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Prepare for the AEMT Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions including hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following positions puts a patient who has an altered mental status at highest risk of aspiration?

Supine
Left side
Right side
Upper body elevated

The correct answer is: Supine

Positioning a patient is a crucial aspect of care, especially when considering the risk of aspiration in those with altered mental status. When a patient is placed in a supine position, they are lying flat on their back. This orientation can allow for any secretions or vomit to easily flow into the airway due to gravity, increasing the risk of aspiration. In contrast, positioning the patient on their left or right side can utilize gravity to help keep the airway clear of fluids, reducing the likelihood of aspiration. An upper body elevated position also aids in maintaining a patent airway and encourages drainage of secretions away from the throat, further minimizing aspiration risk. Thus, placing a patient with altered mental status in the supine position is particularly dangerous as it does not assist in protecting their airway, making this the riskiest option.