What is the first step in assessing airway patency?

The first step in assessing airway patency is performing the chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver. This technique is essential because it helps to open the airway by repositioning the tongue and other structures that may obstruct it. In many cases of unconsciousness or unresponsiveness, the tongue can fall back into the throat and obstruct the airway, so this maneuver allows for immediate access to the airway and helps ensure that it remains clear.

By first securing the airway through techniques like the chin-lift or jaw-thrust, the clinician can then determine whether additional interventions, such as bag-valve-mask ventilation or listening for breath sounds, are necessary. The correct positioning of the airway also establishes a basis for further assessment and intervention since it is crucial to confirm that the airway is not only open but also that the patient is breathing effectively. Administering oxygen via nasal cannula is inappropriate at this stage because the priority is to ensure the airway is patent before providing supplemental oxygen or other treatments.