Question

You respond to a 680year-old man who was involved in a motor vehicle collision. He is unresponsive, and as you approach you notice he is not breathing. He was unrestrained and has massive facial injuries. When you check his airway, it is obstructed. Which of the following is NOT likely to cause an upper airway obstruction in a patient with facial trauma?

Answer 1

Central sleep apnea, which is not caused by a physical blockage but rather a failure of brain signaling, is NOT likely to cause an upper airway obstruction in a patient with facial trauma from a motor vehicle collision.

Step-by-step explanation:

The case described involves a 680-year-old man with an upper airway obstruction following facial trauma from a motor vehicle collision. Among the possible causes of airway obstructions, central sleep apnea is NOT likely because it results from the brain's respiratory centers failing to respond correctly to carbon dioxide levels, rather than physical blockages. In contrast, physical trauma can lead to obstructions caused by facial injuries, foreign objects, or a relaxed tongue, especially if the person is unconscious.

In the given scenario, the man's airway obstruction is likely due to facial trauma which can cause blockages due to swelling, bleeding, or dislocation of facial bones. Wholly unlike central sleep apnea where the airway itself remains unobstructed but the signal to breathe is impaired, traumatic obstructions are typically managed with procedures such as endotracheal intubation to maintain an open airway.

It should be noted that in an emergency scenario such as this, the immediate concern is to ensure the airway is clear, which may involve manual removal of obstructions, suctioning, or the use of adjuncts like the intubation.