Which item is part of Keep Airway Open?

• A. Occlusive dressing, plastic taped on three sides
• B. Check for exit wound
• C. NPA
• D. Check for tension pneumothorax

Answer: (A)

When trying to keep the airway open in a trauma patient, it’s crucial to support breathing and prevent a wound from compromising ventilation. An open chest wound can allow air to be drawn into the chest during inhalation, which may collapse the lung and make breathing harder. Placing an occlusive dressing over the wound and taping it on three sides acts as a flutter valve: it seals the wound so air can’t be sucked in during inhalation but still lets air escape if pressure builds. This prevents a tension pneumothorax and helps the lung expand properly on each breath, directly supporting airway patency and breathing.

Other actions described are related to assessment or alternative airway support, but they don’t address the specific mechanism of preventing air from entering the chest cavity through a wound while preserving ventilation in the same way.