Not being conscious. When a person becomes or appears to be unconscious, they appear to be in a sleep-like unresponsive
state, where all muscles become relaxed and '
floppy'. This creates a danger to the patient'
s life, as their tongue (a muscle) rolls to the back of the throat, and blocks the airway. Also, as the patient regains consciousness, their stomach
wall contracts, causing the contents of their bowels to be forced up the oesophagus where it would enter the mouth to be drained, but because the tongue is blocking it's way, a sufficient amount of vomit enters the lungs, and the patient therefore drowns on their own sick.
To prevent this, simply
check the patient's airway and breathing. If they are breathing, place them into the recovery position. If not, seek
help immediately and make
sure someome trained in first aid is present to perform CPR until paramedics arrive.
Unconsciousness - (noun) 1.The state of
lacking consciousness, of being unconscious.
2.
Ignorance or
innocence; the state of being uninformed or unaware.
