Which of the following is the most common source of airway obstruction in an unconscious victim?
a. A foreign object
b. Saliva or mucus
c. The tongue
d. Edema
Answer C.
In many cases, the muscles controlling the tongue relax, causing the tongue to obstruct the airway. When this occurs, the nurse should use the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver to cause the tongue to fall back in place. If a neck injury is suspected, the jaw-thrust maneuver must be performed.
a. A foreign object
b. Saliva or mucus
c. The tongue
d. Edema
Answer C.
In many cases, the muscles controlling the tongue relax, causing the tongue to obstruct the airway. When this occurs, the nurse should use the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver to cause the tongue to fall back in place. If a neck injury is suspected, the jaw-thrust maneuver must be performed.