What observation indicates the absence of gurgling or stridor during airway assessment?

What observation indicates the absence of gurgling or stridor during airway assessment?

• A. Gurgling is heard
• B. Stridor is heard
• C. No gurgling or stridor is heard
• D. Airway sounds are normal

Answer: (C)

Assessing airway patency relies on identifying abnormal airway sounds. Gurgling signals secretions or pooling in the airway, indicating potential obstruction; stridor signals partial upper-airway obstruction from edema or narrowing at the laryngeal/tracheal level. If you hear neither gurgling nor stridor, there is no evidence of obstruction from secretions or narrowing, so the airway is patent. This observation—no gurgling and no stridor—best indicates the absence of airway obstruction during assessment.

Assessing airway patency relies on identifying abnormal airway sounds. Gurgling signals secretions or pooling in the airway, indicating potential obstruction; stridor signals partial upper-airway obstruction from edema or narrowing at the laryngeal/tracheal level. If you hear neither gurgling nor stridor, there is no evidence of obstruction from secretions or narrowing, so the airway is patent. This observation—no gurgling and no stridor—best indicates the absence of airway obstruction during assessment.