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In a pre-hospital emergency situation, someone who will most likely require the insertion on an OPA (oralpharyngeal airway) will be a patient who is unable to keep their airway open themselfs, don't have a gag reflex, and don't have any maxiofacial damage. The whole prodecure is quite short and simple. First, establish the patients gag reflex. This can be accomplished brushing the eyelashes since they operate on the same nerve. If the patient "flinches" the a gag reflex is present, if not then one may continue with the OPA. The OPA is inserted "backwards" then turned 180 degrees, forcing the touge out of the airway and ending the with flange resting on the teeth. Typically the patient is then assisted with respirations via a bag valve mask.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoYou should use an OPA (oropharyngeal airway) or NPA (nasopharyngeal airway) in less severe cases of upper airway obstruction. For example, an OPA or NPA can be helpful in a child with Pierre-Robin Syndrome causing obstruction of the upper airway at the level of the tongue. An OPA should ONLY be used in an unconscious patient, as it will stimulate gagging. NPA's should be inserted carefully to avoid nasopharyngeal trauma and bleeding. NPA's are CONTRAINDICATED in severe head or facial injuries (bruising behind the ears, raccoon eyes, blood or clear fluid leaking out of the ears or nose), patients on anticoagulants, patients with nasal infections, and patients with nasal deformities.
A nasopharyngeal airway is used when you don't want to intubate the victim. Sometimes all you need is that open airway.
Open airway
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When do you use a oropharyngeal airway?
You would use an oropharyngeal airway only if certified and use it when a person is unconsius and not breathig also for assistance with BVM ventilation
What does the medical abbreviation OPA mean?
Oropharyngeal Airway
What does the medical abbreviation NPA mean?
Nasopharyngeal Airway
What is the definition of 'nasopharyngeal airway'?
Airway adjunct that is a plastic tube with a flange on the end passed through the nostrils into your airway, so you can be ventilated if you have stopped breathing and access is limited via the mouth, for example in facial trauma. The nasopharyngeal airway is used if there are complications to having a patent airway.
What are the advantages of using a pharyngeal airway?
A nasopharyngeal airway is used when you don't want to intubate the victim. Sometimes all you need is that open airway.
If you noticed a friend had clenched teeth but was conscious which airway management technique would you use?
Nasopharyngeal-Airway Technique
If you noticed that your friend had clenched teeth but was conscious which airway-management technique would you have performed?
Nasopharyngeal-Airway Technique
What should you lubricant the nasopharyngeal airway with before?
Water based lubricant
What should you lubricate the nasopharyngeal airway with efore inserting it?
water based lubricant
Why should the nasopharyngeal airway not be used if there is evidence of the clear fluid coming from the nose?
A nasopharyngeal airway is contraindicated in the following situations:- Evidence of Battle's Sign (bruising behind the ear)- Severe facial of cranial injuries.- Signs of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) or raccoon eyes.NB: the clear fluid coming out of the patient's nose or ears is most likely CSF. CSF protects and insulates the brain, and can leak from the skull if there is head trauma.The above situations indicate the possibility of a traumatic brain injury (previously termed 'head injury'). The risk of the nasopharyngeal airway intruding with the brain is fairly high so as a precaution, an alternative airway is used. An oropharyngeal airway would be a better alternative in a patient with suspected traumatic brain injury.A nasopharyngeal airway, (aka NPA or a nasal trumpet), is a tube inserted into the nasal passageway of an unconscious victim to provide an open airway (when unconscious the jaw muscles relax and the tongue to falls back obstructing the airway).NPA is contraindicated (not used) in patients with severe head or facial injuries, or a basilar skull fracture (Battle's sign, raccoon eyes, cerebrospinal fluid/blood from ears, etc.) due to the possibility of direct contact with brain tissue.
How should an oropharyngeal airway be inserted in an adult patient?
upside down and turned 180 degrees over the tongue
What should you lubricate the nasopharynga airway with before inserting it?
The nasopharyngeal airway is a piece of equipment used in healthcare for unconscious patients. The airway should be lubricated with a water based lubricant before insertion.
