Which of the following is not a potential consequence of untreated airway obstruction?

Untreated airway obstruction leads to a range of severe consequences, with hypoxia, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest being potential outcomes.

When an airway is obstructed, oxygen cannot effectively reach the lungs, which results in hypoxia, or inadequate oxygen supply to the body's tissues. This can severely affect organ function and lead to serious complications if not addressed.

Bradycardia may occur as the body attempts to compensate for the hypoxic condition, particularly due to increased vagal tone or stimulation of the autonomic nervous system in response to low oxygen levels.

Cardiac arrest can be a final consequence if the hypoxia and associated cardiac issues progress unchecked, leading to respiratory and ultimately cardiovascular collapse.

On the other hand, improved oxygenation cannot occur with untreated airway obstruction. In fact, obstruction directly inhibits airflow, leading to decreased oxygen delivery to the blood and tissues. Thus, suggesting that untreated airway obstruction could result in improved oxygenation is fundamentally incorrect, as the very nature of airway obstruction disrupts normal breathing mechanics and gas exchange.