In terms of airway management, what is one of the signs indicating the need for immediate intervention?

In airway management, identifying signs that indicate the need for immediate intervention is crucial for patient safety and effective treatment. The presence of stridor or increased work of breathing is significant because it suggests that there is an obstruction or narrowing within the upper airway, which can severely compromise airflow and oxygenation.

Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by turbulent airflow through a narrowed airway and it often signals that the patient's airway is at risk of becoming critically obstructed. Increased work of breathing, indicated by labored or rapid breathing efforts, suggests that the patient is struggling to maintain adequate ventilation, which can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. This necessitates swift action to clear the airway or provide additional support to ensure the patient can breathe effectively.

Other options, such as a patient remaining awake and alert, may not indicate any immediate danger and therefore do not require urgent intervention. Similarly, a week-long history of respiratory symptoms and stable vital signs, while they may warrant monitoring and evaluation, do not represent an immediate threat to the airway that would necessitate urgent management. Thus, recognizing stridor or increased work of breathing as urgent issues highlights the need for swift airway intervention to prevent respiratory failure or other complications.