Indications include airway maintenance, airway suctioning, and preventing biting of an endotracheal tube. These are almost always used in unconscious patients. Contraindications include a conscious patient, a foreign object blocking the airway, and a present gag reflex.
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
Oropharyngeal Airway
An acceptable method for selecting an appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway is to measure from the corner of the patient's mouth to the angle of the jaw or the earlobe. This ensures that the airway fits the patient's anatomy properly. Additionally, choosing an airway size that corresponds to the patient's weight or age can also be helpful, typically using a size chart as a reference. It’s important to select a size that allows for effective ventilation without causing trauma to the oropharyngeal structures.
upside down and turned 180 degrees over the tongue
To size an oropharyngeal airway (OPA), measure from the corner of the patient's mouth to the angle of the jaw (mandible). This ensures the airway is long enough to keep the tongue from obstructing the airway while not being too long to cause trauma. In adults, common sizes range from 3 to 5, while pediatric sizes vary based on age and size of the child. Always select the appropriate size based on the patient's anatomy and needs.
Place the oropharyngeal airway (Guedel) on patient's face to check for correct size - tubing should extend from the corner of the mouth to the tip of the earlobe.
Either an oropharyngeal tube or an endotracheal tube if available and you have the training, otherwise use the 'head tilt, chin lift' method to sustain the airway.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.