How do you choose the right size of oropharyngeal airway?
- Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe
- Measure from the chin to the top of the breastbone
- Match the diameter to the patient's little finger
- Measure from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe
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D. Measure from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe
An oral airway is sized from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe (or angle of the jaw). Nose to earlobe is the measurement for a nasopharyngeal airway, the most common mix-up.
Reference: National EMS Education Standards (EMT): Airway management, respiration and artificial ventilation; airway adjuncts
How do you choose the right length of nasopharyngeal airway?
- Measure from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe
- Measure from the nostril to the Adam's apple
- Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe
- Measure from the bridge of the nose to the chin
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C. Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe
A nasal airway is measured from the tip of the nose to the earlobe. Corner of the mouth to earlobe is the oral airway measurement.
Reference: National EMS Education Standards (EMT): Airway management, respiration and artificial ventilation; airway adjuncts
Which finding means you should not use an oropharyngeal airway?
- The patient is unresponsive
- The patient has a gag reflex
- The patient needs ventilating
- The patient has dentures
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B. The patient has a gag reflex
An oral airway in a patient with a gag reflex can cause vomiting and aspiration. It is meant for unresponsive patients without a gag reflex, including those being ventilated with a bag-valve mask.
Reference: National EMS Education Standards (EMT): Airway management, respiration and artificial ventilation; airway adjuncts