Untitled Genially

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Child

Use an adjusted technique for insertion because children's palates are softer & so more likely to be damaged Instead of inserting the OP airway with 'the tip pointing towards [...] the roof of the mouth', insert it so that 'the tip [is] pointing towards the tongue' (Gregory & Mursell, 2010: 13) Gregory, P. & Mursell, I. 2010. 'Airway management' in Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures, Sussex: Blackwell Publishing, pp. 2-34

How to insert

Make sure 'the length of the OPA [...] correspond[s] with the vertical distance between the patient's incisors and the angle of the jaw' Size by: 'placing the flange of the OPA against the patient's cheek' 'If the airway [device] is too long it may occlude the airway by [...] displacing the epiglottis; if too short it will not separate the soft palate or tongue from the posterior wall of the pharnyx' (Gregory & Mursell, 2010: 11-12) Gregory, P. & Mursell, I. 2010. 'Airway management' in Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures, Sussex: Blackwell Publishing, pp. 2-34

Adult

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'When properly inserted, an oropharyngeal airway will hold the tongue away from the posterior pharynx so air can pass through and around the device.' Beattie, S. 2005. Placing an oropharnygeal airway, Available Online: http://www.modernmedicine.com/modern-medicine/content/placing-oropharyngeal-airway?page=full (Accessed 18/05/17)

The body 'will curve over and rest on top of the tongue' Beattie, S. 2005. Placing an oropharnygeal airway, Available Online: http://www.modernmedicine.com/modern-medicine/content/placing-oropharyngeal-airway?page=full (Accessed 18/05/17)

Be careful! 'The presence of stridor, gasping, or snoring may be an indication of displacement of the airway or be a sign of increasing respiratory distress.' Beattie, S. 2005. Placing an oropharnygeal airway, Available Online: http://www.modernmedicine.com/modern-medicine/content/placing-oropharyngeal-airway?page=full (Accessed 18/05/17)

• OP airways range from size 000 to 5 (AACE, 2016: 40)

Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE). 2016. UK Ambulance Services Clinical Practice Guidelines 2016, Bridgwater: Class Professional Publishing

• Use in 'unconscious patients requiring airway support' but do not use in patients who have any 'intact gag reflex' as doing so could lead to 'vomiting or laryngospasm' (Gregory & Mursell, 2010: 11)

Gregory, P. & Mursell, I. 2010. 'Airway management' in Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures, Sussex: Blackwell Publishing, pp. 2-34

The tip 'sits at the base of the tongue' Beattie, S. 2005. Placing an oropharnygeal airway, Available Online: http://www.modernmedicine.com/modern-medicine/content/placing-oropharyngeal-airway?page=full (Accessed 18/05/17)

Name: oropharyngeal airway

'Oropharyngeal airways are generally made of hard plastic, and have a semicircular design that conforms to the curvature of the palate.' Beattie, S. 2005. Placing an oropharnygeal airway, Available Online: http://www.modernmedicine.com/modern-medicine/content/placing-oropharyngeal-airway?page=full (Accessed 18/05/17)

The Flange 'protrudes from the mouth and rests against the lips' Beattie, S. 2005. Placing an oropharnygeal airway, Available Online: http://www.modernmedicine.com/modern-medicine/content/placing-oropharyngeal-airway?page=full (Accessed 18/05/17)