What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in unconscious patients?

The most common cause of airway obstruction in unconscious patients is the tongue. When an individual is unconscious, muscles throughout the body relax, including those that usually help to keep the tongue in place. As a result, the tongue can fall back into the throat, obstructing the airway. This risk is particularly pronounced in unconscious patients because they lack the protective reflexes that would typically prevent the tongue from blocking the airway.

This scenario highlights why it is critical for emergency medical personnel to prioritize airway management in unconscious patients, often through techniques such as head-tilt/chin-lift or the use of airway adjuncts, to ensure that the airway remains open and unobstructed.