What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in unconscious patients?
- Aspiration of vomit or gastric contents
- The tongue falling back against the posterior pharynx (correct answer)
- Foreign body lodged in the larynx
- Laryngeal edema from allergic reactions
Explanation: The correct answer is B. Loss of muscle tone in unconscious patients causes the tongue to fall back against the posterior pharynx, creating the most common cause of airway obstruction. A is incorrect because while aspiration is serious, it's less common than tongue displacement. C is incorrect because foreign body obstruction is less frequent than anatomical obstruction from the tongue. D is incorrect because allergic reactions causing laryngeal edema are relatively uncommon compared to tongue displacement.