Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)

Question 1

Indications for an OPA?

Answer 1

1. Maintain airway patency

2. Bite block for intubated patients

Question 2

Contraindications for an OPA?

Answer 2

1. Conscious patients

2. Patients with an intact gag reflex

Question 3

Complications of an OPA?

Answer 3

1. Airway trauma from OPA placement
2. Intolerance requiring removal
3. Can precipitate vomiting/aspiration in patient with intact gag reflex
4. Incorrect size/placement can potentially exacerbate airway obstruction

Question 4

How do you measure an OPA?

Answer 4

An OPA is sized by measuring from the centre of the patient’s incisors/mouth to the angle of the jaw

Question 5

How is an OPA inserted?

Answer 5

Adults:
Insert with concavity of the OPA facing the roof of the patient’s mouth & rotate 180 degrees once 1/3 of the way inserted

Paediatrics:
Insert with the concavity of the OPA facing the floor of the mouth and gently advance