مريض بعد استئصال باطنة الشريان السباتي قبل ٤ ساعات، والآن صوته مبحوح وتورم في الرقبة يزداد ويشتكي ضيقاً في التنفس. ما الأولوية؟

Four hours after carotid endarterectomy, a client is hoarse, the neck swelling is increasing and he reports difficulty breathing. What is the priority?

1. Lay him flat without a pillow
2. Give analgesia and apply cold packs to the neck
3. Order a neck X-ray for the morning round
4. Assess the airway and call the surgeon immediately

Answer: D) Assess the airway and call the surgeon immediately. Expanding neck swelling after surgery may be a haematoma compressing the trachea, an airway emergency. The surgeon is called at once and the wound may need opening. Stroke signs are also monitored.