Which observation would the nurse make first in a focused airway assessment of a client admitted after anesthesia?

• A. The Client’s Neck Is in Proper Alignment
• B. Rate and the Depth of the Respirations
• C. Quality and the Pattern of the Breathing
• D. If the Client Is Using Accessory Muscles to Breathe

Answer: (A)

Ensuring the airway is open is the first priority. When a client is waking from anesthesia, muscle tone is reduced and the tongue or soft tissues can fall back and obstruct the airway. Keeping the head and neck in proper, neutral alignment helps maintain an open airway and allows easier ventilation as consciousness returns. That simple positional check directly impacts whether air can flow into the lungs, which is why it’s the initial observation in a focused airway assessment.

After confirming the airway is open, you’d then assess how the client is breathing—rate, depth, and pattern—and watch for signs of increased work of breathing, such as the use of accessory muscles.