What is the purpose of an oropharyngeal airway?
An oropharyngeal airway (oral airway, OPA) is an airway adjunct used to maintain or open the airway by stopping the tongue from covering the epiglottis. In this position, the tongue may prevent an individual from breathing.
How do you measure oropharyngeal airway?
The OPA is sized by measuring from the center of the mouth to the angle of the jaw, or from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe. The mouth is opened using the “crossed or scissors” finger technique.
What type of patient requires oropharyngeal airway?
Oropharyngeal airways are indicated only in unconscious people, because of the likelihood that the device would stimulate a gag reflex in conscious or semi-conscious persons. This could result in vomit and potentially lead to an obstructed airway.
Can nurses insert oropharyngeal airway?
2.1 The Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Graduate Nurse (GN), Graduate Psychiatric Nurse (GPN), Graduate Licensed Practical Nurse (GLPN) will insert, maintain, suction and remove an oropharyngeal airway (OPA).
What is an oropharyngeal?
Listen to pronunciation. (OR-oh-FAYR-inx) The part of the throat at the back of the mouth behind the oral cavity. It includes the back third of the tongue, the soft palate, the side and back walls of the throat, and the tonsils.
Who can insert an oropharyngeal airway?
What can happen if the oropharyngeal airway is too large?
An airway that is too large may reach the laryngeal inlet and result in trauma or laryngeal hyperactivity and laryngospasm. It is common practice by some clinicians to insert an oropharyngeal airway device upside down, or convex to the natural curvature of the tongue and then to rotate the airway 180 degrees.
What is the maximum length of suction catheter that should be inserted?
Suction should only be to the tip of the ETT, and should never exceed more than 0.5cm beyond the tip of the ETT, to prevent mucosal irritation and injury. Measurement of length to suction is to be predetermined at shift commencement.
What is the maximum length of suction catheter that should be inserted into the patients oropharynx beyond the tongue?
What nursing care does a patient with an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway require?
Be gentle when inserting either an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway. Avoid forcing an oropharyngeal airway, which can lead to trauma to the lips and tongue. Use caution when twisting the oropharyngeal 180 degrees to avoid trauma along the hard palate.