You are caring for a 68-year-old man with sudden onset of left-sided paralysis and slurred speech. His airway is patent, respirations are 14 breaths per minute with adequate depth, and his oxygen saturation is 98%. The treatment for this patient should include:

• A. Oral Glucose Gel And Transport
• B. Recovery Position And Transport
• C. High-Flow Oxygen And Transport
• D. Ventilatory Assistance And Transport

Answer: (B)

Protecting the airway while rapidly transporting a suspected stroke patient is the main idea. Here, the patient has a patent airway, adequate breathing, and good oxygen saturation, so there’s no need for extra oxygen or ventilatory support. The key step is to position the patient to protect the airway in case vomiting or decreased consciousness develops—placing him in the recovery position helps prevent aspiration and keeps the airway open during transport. Rapid transport to a facility capable of stroke care is essential for timely treatment.

The other options aren’t needed here: oxygen is not required when saturation is already good, and ventilatory assistance isn’t indicated without breathing failure. Glucose would only be appropriate if hypoglycemia were suspected, which isn’t indicated by these signs.