Which of the following is a common practice to ensure airway patency?

Ensuring airway patency is crucial for maintaining adequate ventilation and oxygenation in patients, particularly in a medical or surgical context. The practice of suctioning secretions as necessary is fundamental in this regard. When a patient's airway is obstructed by secretions, it can lead to ineffective breathing and potential respiratory failure. By regularly suctioning the airway, healthcare providers can clear mucus, blood, or other obstructions that impede airflow, thereby ensuring that the airway remains open and functional.

The other practices mentioned, while relevant to overall patient care and comfort, do not directly focus on airway patency. Post-operative bed positioning may help with patient comfort or prevent complications like aspiration, but it does not actively clear the airway. Frequent patient repositioning can assist in maintaining a patent airway, but it is more about prevention rather than direct intervention. Using higher doses of anesthesia typically suppresses respiratory function; thus, it is not a common or effective method for maintaining airway patency.