If the tongue continues to obstruct the airway, what can be done?

When the tongue obstructs the airway, implementing a nasopharyngeal airway or using a tongue traction suture is a vital step to restore proper airway patency. The nasopharyngeal airway helps keep the airway open by providing a clear passage for air to flow, thereby bypassing the obstruction created by the tongue. Additionally, a tongue traction suture can help pull the tongue forward, further improving airway access and preventing obstruction.

This intervention is particularly important in emergency situations, where maintaining a patent airway is crucial for effective ventilation and oxygenation. Other choices, while related to airway management, do not specifically address the issue of tongue obstruction in the same direct and effective manner. For example, using a straight suction catheter might assist in clearing secretions but may not be adequate for a complete tongue obstruction. Similarly, performing chest compressions is meant for cardiac arrest situations and does not address airway obstruction directly. Increasing oxygen flow through the mask may provide supplemental oxygen but does not resolve the mechanical blockage that the tongue poses.

In summary, applying a nasopharyngeal airway or using a tongue traction suture is a targeted approach specifically designed to relieve tongue obstruction and ensure the airway remains open.