Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

Which of the following is an essential component of managing respiratory distress?

1. Administering antibiotics

2. Establishing a patent airway

3. Placing the patient in a prone position

4. Restricting fluid intake

The correct answer is: Establishing a patent airway

Establishing a patent airway is a fundamental and essential component of managing respiratory distress. When a patient is experiencing respiratory distress, ensuring that the airway is open and clear is critical to enable effective breathing and adequate oxygenation. Without a patent airway, any therapeutic interventions, such as administering medications or providing oxygen, become ineffective as the patient cannot ventilate properly. This step is especially crucial in emergencies where the risk of airway obstruction is significant. In contexts where respiratory issues arise, such as asthma exacerbations, anaphylaxis, or other conditions leading to distress, maintaining airway patency is the priority that can directly impact patient outcomes. Other measures, while they may be relevant in managing specific respiratory conditions, do not have the same foundational priority as ensuring an unobstructed airway.