Which statement best describes the sniffing position for pediatric airway management?

Which statement best describes the sniffing position for pediatric airway management?

• A. The mouth should be closed with tongue to the roof of mouth
• B. The head should be hyperextended
• C. The external ear canal should be anterior to the shoulder
• D. The chin should be tucked to the chest

Answer: (C)

In pediatric airway management, the sniffing position is used to align the airway axes for easier visualization during intubation. This is achieved by gently extending the neck and placing support so that the external ear canal is anterior to the shoulder. That alignment signals the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes are in a straight line, making it easier to bring the laryngeal inlet into view with the laryngoscope. Extreme extension should be avoided in children, as it can misalign the airway, and flexion or keeping the mouth/tongue position unrelated to axis alignment won’t provide the same straight path to the glottis.

In pediatric airway management, the sniffing position is used to align the airway axes for easier visualization during intubation. This is achieved by gently extending the neck and placing support so that the external ear canal is anterior to the shoulder. That alignment signals the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes are in a straight line, making it easier to bring the laryngeal inlet into view with the laryngoscope. Extreme extension should be avoided in children, as it can misalign the airway, and flexion or keeping the mouth/tongue position unrelated to axis alignment won’t provide the same straight path to the glottis.