BCEN CEN Practice Question

The correct answer is preparing for emergent airway management. Frequent swallowing and spitting up blood in the setting of a severe nosebleed are hallmark signs of a posterior epistaxis, where blood flows down the oropharynx. This poses a significant and immediate risk for airway compromise due to aspiration. While obtaining vital signs and labs is important for assessing hemodynamic stability and coagulation status, and preparing for nasal packing is a likely next step, protecting the airway is always the first priority in emergency care. Initiating a hypertensive medication is also a relevant consideration, as high blood pressure can exacerbate bleeding, but it is not as immediately life-threatening as a compromised airway.