STATION 5A OPA NPA SUCTION

5A UPPER AIRWAY ADJUNCTS AND SUCTION

OPA

Select and verbalize that you are selecting the appropriately sized oropharyngeal airway (OPA)

Measure the airway (verbalize that you are doing it from the corner of the mouth to the corner of the earlobe)

Verbalize and perform that you are opening the patient's mouth using the "crossed or scissors" finger technique

Insert (and verbalize that you are inserting) the airway (adjunct) without pushing the tongue posteriorly

        The OPA is inserted in the patient’s mouth upside down so the tip of the OPA is facing the roof of the patient’s mouth. As the airway is inserted it is rotated 180 degrees until the flange comes to rest on the patient’s lips and/or teeth. The OPA may be inserted with the pharyngeal                        curvature if a tongue blade is used to depress the tongue.

You will be told the patient is gagging and becoming conscious

Remove the OPA

SUCTION

You will be advised to suction the patient's airway

Verbalize and show you are turning the device on

Verbalize and show that you are assuring that the suction is working

Verbalize and show that you are inserting the suction tip without suction

Apply suction to oropharynx, stating you will suction on the way out, for no more than 10 seconds.

NPA 

You will be advised to insert a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)

Verbalize that you are selecting the appropriate sized nasopharyngeal airway  (NPA)

         Select the proper size airway by measuring from the tip of the patient’s earlobe to the tip of the patient’s nose. The          diameter of the airway should be largest that will fit. To determine this, select the size that approximates the                    diameter of the patient’s little finger

Lubricate (or verbalize that you will lubricate) the NPA with water soluble lubricant or the patient's saliva

Insert the airway into the right nostril with the bevel facing the septum. You would use the left nostril if you encountered resistance in the right nostril.