What should be done for a patient with a suspected head injury who is vomiting?

Placing the patient in a recovery position is crucial for individuals with a suspected head injury who are vomiting. This position helps to maintain an open airway and minimizes the risk of aspiration, which can occur if a patient is lying flat on their back and is unable to control their airway due to vomiting. By rolling the patient onto their side, any vomit can exit the mouth without leading to choking or inhalation into the lungs.

In cases of head injuries, there can be accompanying neurological deficits that affect consciousness. The recovery position allows for better monitoring of the patient's condition while ensuring that any fluid can drain out and reduce the risk of airway obstruction. The focus is not only on managing the current symptoms but also on safeguarding the patient's airway, which is critical in emergency situations.

Ensuring the patient is transported to a medical facility is also important, but the immediate management focuses on airway protection and preventing aspiration. Other actions, like making the patient drink water or laying them flat on their back, would not be appropriate and might worsen the situation by increasing the aspiration risk.