A nursing student administers an I.V. medication but forgets to prime the syringe. The patient then becomes confused and pale. Suspecting an air embolus, what is the appropriate response?

Explanation

•Placing the patient on her left side or in Trendelenburg's position, will allow the air embolus to collect in the right atrium. This will prevent the air embolus from entering the pulmonary circulation. The two positions can be applied together, with the patient lying on her left side and her feet raised.

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