In positioning a child older than 2 years, where is padding commonly placed to help maintain a patent airway?

In positioning a child older than 2 years, where is padding commonly placed to help maintain a patent airway?

• A. Under the chin
• B. Under the occiput
• C. Under the knees
• D. Under the shoulder blades

Answer: (B)

Opening the airway is easiest when the head is in a slightly extended, sniffing position. For children older than two, placing padding under the occiput lifts the head enough to align the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes and moves the tongue away from the airway. This helps with bag-mask ventilation and airway patency. Padding under the chin would bend the neck and worsen obstruction; under the knees changes the lower body position without improving airway alignment; under the shoulder blades shifts the trunk and can hinder airway access.

Opening the airway is easiest when the head is in a slightly extended, sniffing position. For children older than two, placing padding under the occiput lifts the head enough to align the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes and moves the tongue away from the airway. This helps with bag-mask ventilation and airway patency.

Padding under the chin would bend the neck and worsen obstruction; under the knees changes the lower body position without improving airway alignment; under the shoulder blades shifts the trunk and can hinder airway access.