What is your primary concern if you discover that a patient does not have a gag reflex?
a. Fear of aspiration of bacteria or food
b. That their tonsilar tissues are grossly swol-len
c. That they will not be able to breathe ade-quately
d. Tracheal collapse
ANS: A
Reflexes of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx help to protect the lower respiratory tract during swallowing. These protective functions can be severely compromised during anesthesia or un-consciousness. Loss or compromise of these important reflexes can result in aspiration of bacteria colonized saliva or food and can cause pulmonary infection and asphyxiation in severe cases.
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