Question

What are the steps for properly inserting an Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?

Answer 1

Proper insertion of an OPA involves selecting the correct size, opening the patient's mouth, inserting the airway with the curvature facing upwards, rotating it 180 degrees, and ensuring it is in place without resistance. It is crucial to monitor the patient's oxygenation status with a pulse oximeter following the insertion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Inserting an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is a procedure performed to maintain a patent airway by preventing the tongue from covering the epiglottis, which could potentially block airflow to the lungs. Here are the steps for OPA insertion:

1. Select the correct size OPA by measuring from the patient's incisors to the angle of the jaw.
2. Position the patient to ensure you have proper access to the oral cavity.
3. Open the patient's mouth using a cross-finger technique to press down on the teeth.
4. With the airway in your dominant hand, insert the OPA with the curvature facing the roof of the mouth.
5. Rotate the OPA 180 degrees as you gently advance it, allowing the curvature to match the anatomy of the oropharynx.
6. The OPA should slide in place without resistance. The flange should rest on the patient's lips, indicating proper placement.
7. Secure the airway and monitor the patient for any signs of obstruction or displacement.

Ensure that before attempting to insert an OPA, the patient is unconscious as the gag reflex may be triggered in conscious patients. The procedure should not be performed if any oral trauma, foreign body, or injury is suspected.

It is essential to maintain patient safety and comfort while ensuring that the airway is open for effective ventilation. Following successful insertion, the patient's oxygenation status must be closely monitored using clinical signs and a pulse oximeter to ensure adequate oxygenation.