In the DOPE approach to airway management, which action targets obstruction?

In the DOPE approach to airway management, which action targets obstruction?

• A. Suction the CRIC
• B. Increase FiO2
• C. Deflate the cuff
• D. Reinsert the airway device

Answer: (A)

When obstruction is the issue in the airway, the quickest and most direct fix is to clear the blockage with suction. Suctioning the cric region targets the obstruction by removing secretions, blood, or vomitus that are blocking airflow, rapidly restoring patency around the airway device or within the airway itself. Other steps may help with oxygenation or device problems, but they don’t remove the actual blockage: increasing FiO2 raises oxygen levels but doesn’t clear the obstruction; deflating the cuff might help if the cuff is contributing to a seal issue, but it doesn’t remove a physical blockage; reinserting or repositioning the airway device can fix malposition, but it doesn’t address the immediate blockage that suction can clear.

When obstruction is the issue in the airway, the quickest and most direct fix is to clear the blockage with suction. Suctioning the cric region targets the obstruction by removing secretions, blood, or vomitus that are blocking airflow, rapidly restoring patency around the airway device or within the airway itself. Other steps may help with oxygenation or device problems, but they don’t remove the actual blockage: increasing FiO2 raises oxygen levels but doesn’t clear the obstruction; deflating the cuff might help if the cuff is contributing to a seal issue, but it doesn’t remove a physical blockage; reinserting or repositioning the airway device can fix malposition, but it doesn’t address the immediate blockage that suction can clear.