Question

When inserting an oropharyngeal airway in an infant or child, you should:

Select one:
A. place padding under the child's head.
B. ensure that his or her neck is hyperextended.
C. depress the tongue with a tongue depressor.
D. insert it until the flange rests on the teeth.

Answer 1

When inserting an oropharyngeal airway into an infant or a child, using the correct technique is key. Avoid hyperextending the neck and placing padding under the head, don't use a tongue depressor, and insert the airway properly, ensuring it is sized correctly where the flange rests at the lips.

Step-by-step explanation:

When inserting an oropharyngeal airway in an infant or child, proper technique is crucial for ensuring the airway is open and to avoid causing harm. In general, to accommodate their anatomy, it is recommended not to hyperextend the child's neck, and padding under the child's head should not be used as it can push the head forward and potentially obstruct the airway.

A tongue depressor is not typically used during the insertion of an oropharyngeal airway. Instead, the device should be inserted with care, following the curvature of the child's pharynx, with the tip pointing downward toward the child's tongue. It is then rotated 180 degrees so that the tip points posteriorly once the airway is past the tongue. It is sized correctly when the flange rests at the child's lips, not the teeth, to allow for the correct positioning to keep the airway open.