What is the first step in managing an obstructed airway?

In managing an obstructed airway, the primary concern is to promptly clear the obstruction to restore normal breathing. The first step in this emergency response is suctioning, which plays a critical role when dealing with visible obstructions that may block the airway, such as blood, vomit, or other foreign materials. Suctioning is essential in creating a clear passage, allowing air to enter the lungs and preventing further complications like hypoxia.

The other methods listed are important in various contexts of airway management but follow suctioning in the sequence of interventions. For example, a finger sweep is performed if there is a visible obstruction that can be removed; however, it should not be routinely done without proper indication. The recovery position is used to safely position a patient who is breathing adequately, particularly those at risk of aspiration, but it is not the immediate action for an obstructed airway. Manual stabilization may be relevant in cases of trauma but is not specifically directed at clearing an obstruction from the airway. Thus, suctioning is the most appropriate and immediate first step in effectively managing an obstructed airway.