After obstruction is removed in a pediatric airway obstruction, what should you do next?

• A. Check for carotid pulse
• B. Ventilate with high-flow O2 PRN
• C. Initiate CPR
• D. Administer nebulized bronchodilator

Answer: (B)

After removing the obstruction, the priority is to ensure the child is ventilating adequately and receiving enough oxygen. The airway may still be compromised from swelling, partial obstruction, or aspiration, so providing high-flow oxygen as needed helps restore oxygen delivery and supports any spontaneous breathing. Nebulized bronchodilator isn’t immediately indicated unless there’s a concurrent bronchospastic issue, and checking a pulse is part of ongoing assessment but does not replace the need to support ventilation. If the child is not breathing or has no pulse, you would proceed with CPR, but with an awake, breathing child you focus on delivering oxygen and monitoring their respiratory status.