Question

The oropharyngeal airway is MOST APPROPRIATELY used in a/an:

a) Conscious patient who is breathing spontaneously
b) Unconscious patient with and upper airway obstruction
c) Unconscious patient being ventilated by a bag-valve-mask
d) Patient with trauma to the mouth

Answer 1

The oropharyngeal airway is most appropriately used in an unconscious patient being ventilated by a bag-valve-mask to keep the airway open.

Step-by-step explanation:

The oropharyngeal airway device is most appropriately used in an unconscious patient being ventilated by a bag-valve-mask (option c). It is designed to keep the airway open by preventing the tongue from covering the epiglottis, which could obstruct the airway, especially when the patient is not conscious and muscle tone is reduced. The oropharyngeal airway is not suitable for conscious patients or those with trauma to the mouth because it could stimulate a gag reflex in conscious individuals or exacerbate oral injuries. Additionally, it is not the best choice for dealing with an upper airway obstruction without ventilation support, as other methods like the Heimlich maneuver or intubation may be more appropriate.