Which airway management maneuver is the first step for hypopharyngeal obstruction in the PACU?

• A. Perform head-tilt or jaw-thrust maneuver
• B. Administer bronchodilator
• C. Intubate immediately
• D. Suction only

Answer: (A)

Relief of a hypopharyngeal obstruction in the PACU begins with simple airway opening maneuvers. A head-tilt or jaw-thrust is used to lift the tongue and soft tissues away from the posterior pharynx, opening the airway quickly and noninvasively. This step restores patency without instrumentation and is safe to try immediately as the first action.

Bronchodilators target bronchospasm, which is not the cause of a hypopharyngeal obstruction, so they aren’t the first move here. Suctioning alone may help clear secretions but won’t reliably open a collapsed or tongue-occluded airway. Intubation becomes necessary only if the airway remains obstructed after attempting these maneuvers or if there are signs of airway compromise that require definitive airway control. If cervical spine injury is a concern, favor the jaw-thrust to minimize neck movement.