During a code situation, what is the most common obstruction that prevents air from flowing through the trachea? Select one: a. tonsils b. tongue c. dentures d. none of the above

Answer

The correct answer is b. tongue. In an unconscious patient or a patient experiencing a code situation (cardiac or respiratory arrest), the muscles of the jaw and throat relax. Because the tongue is attached to the lower jaw, it can go limp and fall back into the posterior pharynx (the back of the throat), physically blocking the airway. This is widely recognized in emergency medicine as the most common cause of airway obstruction in unresponsive individuals. To resolve this, healthcare providers typically use maneuvers like the head-tilt/chin-lift or jaw-thrust to pull the tongue forward and clear the path for ventilation.