Level of consciousness or LOC is key to this. You are correct in that the normal body response is to breathe. If the gag reflex is compromised and pt is deeply unconscious, struggle may be less likely. We read about very intoxicated people drowning, or aspirating into their lungs and dying. Yes comatose people still breathe, but I am not sure if a comatose patient could adequately protect their airway in these circumstances. Very good question. I will ask Dr. Zuri.
In a lobotomy, the frontal lobe is removed. Patients are generally not comatose. The gag reflex remains intact, so they would be able to protect their airway.
Level of consciousness or LOC is key to this. You are correct in that the normal body response is to breathe. If the gag reflex is compromised and pt is deeply unconscious, struggle may be less likely. We read about very intoxicated people drowning, or aspirating into their lungs and dying. Yes comatose people still breathe, but I am not sure if a comatose patient could adequately protect their airway in these circumstances. Very good question. I will ask Dr. Zuri.
In a lobotomy, the frontal lobe is removed. Patients are generally not comatose. The gag reflex remains intact, so they would be able to protect their airway.
Thank you for helping me understand.
In the example I gave I didn't explain fully because I think everyone is a movie nut like me. The character had just been wheeled out from surgery back to the dorm room that he and a group of other patients lived in. He was out of it, almost drooling and did not recognize or acknowlege his good friend 'Chief'. Chief had planned on breaking out of the place with this man and when he saw him determined he would not leave him behind like that and smothered him to death. Even in that spaced out condition the man fought for the ability to breathe air.
PS It was a great movie. And I am totally against a man hitting a woman but in Nurse Rachett's case I make an exception.
bless you