Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What is the first step in treating a patient who has fainted but is breathing?

1. Place them in supine position

2. Call for emergency help

3. Administer oxygen

4. Place them in the Trendelenburg position

The correct answer is: Place them in the Trendelenburg position

The first step in treating a patient who has fainted but is breathing involves ensuring their safety and promoting blood flow to the brain, and this is best achieved by placing them in the Trendelenburg position. In this position, the patient is laid flat on their back with their legs elevated. Elevating the legs helps to increase venous return to the heart and subsequently improves cerebral perfusion, which is crucial in situations where a patient has fainted. Using the Trendelenburg position may assist in recovering blood pressure and preventing further fainting or complications. However, it is essential to monitor the patient and ensure that they continue to breathe comfortably without any obstruction. Placing a patient in a supine position can also be beneficial, but without leg elevation, it may not be as effective in restoring blood flow as the Trendelenburg position. While calling for emergency help is important if the patient's condition does not improve or worsens, and administering oxygen may be considered based on the patient's clinical signs, the immediate response to a fainting episode focuses on positioning to stabilize the patient.