Which of the following is NOT listed as an example to inquire about when assessing airway patency and protection?

• A. Heart rate
• B. Bony deformity
• C. Burns
• D. Edema

Answer: (A)

When assessing airway patency and protection, you focus on signs that directly threaten the airway. The item that’s not listed as an airway-specific inquiry is heart rate. While heart rate is an important overall vital sign, it doesn’t by itself indicate airway integrity. In contrast, asking about bony deformity can reveal facial or neck trauma that may distort airway anatomy; burns raise concern for inhalation injury and rapid swelling; edema directly signals swelling that can narrow or obstruct the airway. These factors guide decisions about securing the airway, whereas heart rate informs overall physiologic status but not the condition of the airway itself.