Which intervention may be appropriate to maintain airway patency?

• A. Insert an oral or nasopharyngeal airway
• B. Administer antibiotics
• C. Elevate legs
• D. Start diuretics

Answer: (A)

Maintaining airway patency is the immediate priority in trauma care, and an airway adjunct directly supports that goal. Inserting an oral airway prop the tongue forward, preventing it from falling back and causing obstruction, which helps keep the passage open for air. A nasopharyngeal airway serves a similar purpose by providing a conduit through the upper airway; this can be useful when the patient is semi-conscious or when the mouth cannot be used, but it must be avoided if there’s suspected skull base or facial trauma. The other options don’t address keeping the airway open: antibiotics help prevent or treat infection, elevating the legs improves venous return and circulation, and diuretics reduce fluid but do not maintain airway patency in the acute setting.