Airway Adjuncts

Oropharyngeal airway

An oropharyngeal airway or nasopharyngeal airway can also be used to prevent the tongue from blocking the airway. When these airways are inserted properly, the rescuer does not need to manually open the airway with a head tilt/chin lift or jaw-thrust maneuver. Aspiration of blood, vomitus, and other fluids can still occur with these two adjuncts.

An OPA should be measured against the side of the face. With the tip of the OPA at the corner of the mouth, the opening should be at the angle of the mandible.

Insert upside down, rotating as it reaches the pharynx.

Suction as needed.

Nasopharyngeal airway

An NPA is a soft rubber tube that protects airflow from the nose to the pharynx.

they may be used in conscious or semiconscios patients.

Size: The tube should be similar in size to the interior aperture of the nares. The patient's smallest finger can also be used as an estimate.

Lubricate the tube, with anesthetic used as appropriate.

Suction as needed.