Which factor contributes to increased likelihood of an upper airway obstruction in an infant compared to an adult?

a. Higher percentage of body fat
b. Higher volumes of sinus discharge
c. Relatively smaller head size
d. Tongue that is proportionally larger

ANS: D
Infant neck flexion causes acute airway obstruction. Although the head is larger, an infant's nasal passages are proportionately smaller than are an adult's. In addition, the infant's jaw is much rounder and the tongue is much larger relative to the size of the oral cavity. These anatomic dif-ferences increase the likelihood of airway obstruction when an infant becomes unconscious and loses muscle tone.