Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

What is an indication for using an Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)?

1. Conscious patient with a gag reflex

2. Unresponsive patients with no gag reflex

3. Patients with a cough reflex

4. Patients with partial consciousness

The correct answer is: Unresponsive patients with no gag reflex

The use of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) is indicated primarily in unresponsive patients who do not exhibit a gag reflex. This is because the primary function of an OPA is to maintain an airway by preventing the tongue from blocking the oropharynx. In unresponsive patients, there is a risk of airway obstruction due to the relaxed state of the tongue and other airway structures. If a patient has no gag reflex, using an OPA is safe, as it minimizes the chance of inducing a gag response that could potentially lead to airway compromise or aspiration. In contrast, utilizing an OPA on a conscious patient or one with an intact gag reflex carries the risk of causing discomfort, gagging, or even vomiting, which can obstruct the airway rather than secure it. This is why it is not advisable to use an OPA in those scenarios. The device is specifically designed for unconscious patients who cannot protect their own airway, making it a critical tool in emergency airway management in these particular circumstances.