What is the primary concern for a patient who presents with a foreign body in the airway?

The primary concern for a patient with a foreign body in the airway is airway obstruction. When an object becomes lodged in the airway, it can severely impede or completely block airflow, leading to critical issues such as respiratory distress or hypoxia. The airway is essential for effective ventilation, and any obstruction can result in life-threatening complications.

Immediate recognition and intervention are required to secure the airway and restore adequate breathing. The degree of obstruction—partial or complete—determines the urgency and type of management needed, which may include maneuvering techniques or invasive procedures to remove the obstructive object.

While the other options also represent potential complications or issues related to foreign bodies, they are secondary concerns. Esophageal perforation typically pertains to foreign bodies that have entered the esophagus rather than the airway, pneumothorax relates more to injuries affecting the pleural space rather than direct airway issues, and infection may occur as a downstream effect but is not the immediate concern when a foreign body is present in the airway. The acute priority remains the securement of the airway to prevent respiratory failure.