Final answer:
An oral airway should not routinely be left in an awake patient due to the gag reflex; it depends on the clinical situation. Endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia ensures an open airway, and as the patient regains muscle control post-surgery, the tube is removed. Breathing muscles take time to regain full control of respiration after anesthesia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you're asking pertains to whether you can leave an oral airway in an awake patient. The correct answer is depends on the clinical situation (d). An oral airway device is used to keep a patient's airway open when they are sedated or unconscious, and they may not tolerate the device when they are awake due to the gag reflex. Endotracheal intubation is often used under general anesthesia to maintain an open airway and protect the lungs.
During general anesthesia, the patients' muscles, including those necessary for breathing and controlling the tongue, may relax excessively, leading to airway obstruction. As anesthesia wears off, and a patient begins to regain muscle control, the breathing muscles will begin to move the diaphragm and chest wall, allowing for normal respiration. It's at this point that endotracheal tubes are typically removed. As patients wake up, the recovery of the ability to maintain an open airway independently is assessed before removal of the airway device.