What device can be used to help maintain airway patency in unresponsive patients?

What device can be used to help maintain airway patency in unresponsive patients?

• A. Bag-mask device
• B. Nasal cannula
• C. Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
• D. Endotracheal tube

Answer: (C)

The oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is specifically designed to maintain airway patency in unresponsive patients by preventing the tongue from obstructing the airway. When a patient is unresponsive, they often cannot maintain their own airway, which can lead to asphyxiation due to tongue displacement. The OPA's shape allows it to fit into the mouth and extend into the pharynx, keeping the airway open so that oxygen can flow to the lungs. In contrast, a bag-mask device is more about providing ventilation rather than just maintaining patency, which means it is less effective as a standalone tool for keeping the airway open when a patient is unresponsive. A nasal cannula primarily delivers supplemental oxygen and may not adequately prevent airway obstruction in an unresponsive individual. An endotracheal tube is also effective for airway management but is more invasive and generally requires advanced training to place properly. While it is a suitable choice in many scenarios, using an OPA is often the first step in airway management for unresponsive patients due to its ease of insertion and non-invasive nature.

The oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is specifically designed to maintain airway patency in unresponsive patients by preventing the tongue from obstructing the airway. When a patient is unresponsive, they often cannot maintain their own airway, which can lead to asphyxiation due to tongue displacement. The OPA's shape allows it to fit into the mouth and extend into the pharynx, keeping the airway open so that oxygen can flow to the lungs.

In contrast, a bag-mask device is more about providing ventilation rather than just maintaining patency, which means it is less effective as a standalone tool for keeping the airway open when a patient is unresponsive. A nasal cannula primarily delivers supplemental oxygen and may not adequately prevent airway obstruction in an unresponsive individual. An endotracheal tube is also effective for airway management but is more invasive and generally requires advanced training to place properly. While it is a suitable choice in many scenarios, using an OPA is often the first step in airway management for unresponsive patients due to its ease of insertion and non-invasive nature.