Which is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in the trauma patient?

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Multiple Choice

Which is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in the trauma patient?

Loss of muscle tone in a trauma patient who is unconscious or sedated allows the tongue to fall backward and block the pharyngeal airway, making it the most common cause of upper airway obstruction. The tongue sits at the back of the throat and can readily occlude airflow when it loses support, especially in a supine position. Blood, teeth, or vomitus can contribute to obstruction, but they’re less likely to be the sole or primary blocker compared with the tongue’s position in an unresponsive patient. That’s why the first priorities are to open the airway and prevent the tongue from blocking it: reposition the head and use a jaw-thrust maneuver, suction away debris, and consider an airway adjunct or advanced airway if obstruction persists.

Loss of muscle tone in a trauma patient who is unconscious or sedated allows the tongue to fall backward and block the pharyngeal airway, making it the most common cause of upper airway obstruction. The tongue sits at the back of the throat and can readily occlude airflow when it loses support, especially in a supine position. Blood, teeth, or vomitus can contribute to obstruction, but they’re less likely to be the sole or primary blocker compared with the tongue’s position in an unresponsive patient. That’s why the first priorities are to open the airway and prevent the tongue from blocking it: reposition the head and use a jaw-thrust maneuver, suction away debris, and consider an airway adjunct or advanced airway if obstruction persists.

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