What is a potential complication of inserting an oropharyngeal airway that is too small
Oropharyngeal airways are rigid intraoral devices that conform to the tongue and displace it away from the posterior pharyngeal wall, thereby restoring pharyngeal airway patency. Show
Pharyngeal airways (both oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal) are a component of preliminary upper airway management for patients with apnea or severe ventilatory failure, which also includes
The goal of all of these methods is to relieve upper airway obstruction caused by a relaxed tongue lying on the posterior pharyngeal wall. Oropharyngeal airways are indicated for unconscious patients in the setting of
Absolute contraindications
Relative contraindications Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway may not be feasible in some settings, such as
Nasopharyngeal airways may be used instead.
The sniffing position—only in the absence of cervical spine injury:
If cervical spine injury is a possibility:
Head and neck positioning to open the airway: Sniffing positionA: The head is flat on the stretcher; the airway is constricted. B: The ear and sternal notch are aligned, with the face parallel to the ceiling (in the sniffing position), opening the airway. Adapted from Levitan RM, Kinkle WC: The airway Cam Pocket Guide to Intubation, ed. 2. Wayne (PA), Airway Cam Technologies, 2007.
Click here for Patient Education What is the potential complication of using a nasopharyngeal airway that is too long?When the NPA is too long for the patient, it can create a direct route of ventilation of the stomach, causing gastric distention, increasing vomiting risk, and decreasing oxygenation and ventilation of the lungs.
What is the most serious potential complication of nasopharyngeal?Cribriform insertion is perhaps the most catastrophic complication of a nasopharyngeal airway, but it is also the least likely. Improper technique can cause the tube to enter the cribriform plate, causing soft tissue or skull damage, and potentially even penetrating the brain.
What would be a contraindication to inserting an oropharyngeal airway in a patient?Contraindications for Oropharyngeal Airway. Oral trauma.. Trismus (restriction of mouth opening including spasm of muscles of mastication). What can happen if the oropharyngeal airway is too large pals?Inserting an OPA
Too large of an airway device can damage the throat. Too small of an airway device can press the tongue into the airway.
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