Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

Ensuring airway patency is important due to the high risk of aspiration in near-drowning incidents. Immediate airway management prevents further complications such as hypoxia, which is critical in the survival and outcome of the patient. Monitoring for hypothermia, while important, is not the immediate priority. Chest compressions are only necessary if the patient is in cardiac arrest, which should be assessed after ensuring the airway is clear. Administration of antibiotics is not relevant until and unless there is a suspicion of infection or aspiration pneumonia, which would be assessed later.