What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in unconscious patients?

The most common cause of airway obstruction in unconscious patients is the tongue falling back into the throat. When a person is unconscious, the muscular tone in the airway is compromised, leading to the relaxation of the structures in the throat, including the tongue. This can cause the tongue to roll back and obstruct the airway, making it difficult for air to pass through.

Unconscious patients cannot maintain their own airway; therefore, they are at increased risk of this type of obstruction. Recognizing this can guide the rescuer in implementing appropriate airway management techniques, such as the use of the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver or insertion of an airway adjunct to prevent blockage.

While foreign body aspiration and fluid accumulation in the lungs can lead to airway obstruction, they are less common specific causes compared to the physiological positioning of the tongue in an unconscious state. Swelling of the epiglottis can occur in certain conditions but is not as prevalent as tongue obstruction in unconscious patients. Understanding these scenarios is crucial for effective airway management and ensuring proper interventions for patients who are unresponsive.