What is the most common obstruction in an unconscious person?

What is the most common obstruction in an unconscious person?

• A. Tongue
• B. Food
• C. Glass
• D. Mucus

Answer: (A)

In an unconscious person, keeping the airway open is the priority because air must be able to move into the lungs. The most common obstruction is the tongue. When someone loses consciousness, the muscles relax and the tongue can fall back toward the throat, narrowing or completely blocking the passage behind it. This makes breathing difficult or impossible if nothing is done to reposition the airway. That’s why airway-opening maneuvers are emphasized: tilt the head back and lift the chin (or use a jaw-thrust if a neck injury is suspected) to pull the tongue away from the back of the throat and relieve the blockage. Other potential obstructions like food, glass, or mucus can block the airway, but they’re less likely to be the primary issue in an unconscious person. Once the airway is open, assess breathing and provide rescue breaths or CPR if needed.

In an unconscious person, keeping the airway open is the priority because air must be able to move into the lungs. The most common obstruction is the tongue. When someone loses consciousness, the muscles relax and the tongue can fall back toward the throat, narrowing or completely blocking the passage behind it. This makes breathing difficult or impossible if nothing is done to reposition the airway.

That’s why airway-opening maneuvers are emphasized: tilt the head back and lift the chin (or use a jaw-thrust if a neck injury is suspected) to pull the tongue away from the back of the throat and relieve the blockage. Other potential obstructions like food, glass, or mucus can block the airway, but they’re less likely to be the primary issue in an unconscious person. Once the airway is open, assess breathing and provide rescue breaths or CPR if needed.