Q: What is a Guedel Oropharyngeal Airway?
A: A Guedel is a rigid plastic tube which sits along top of mouth and ends at base of tongue (an adjunct to help keep airway open).
Q: When would you use an oropharyngeal airway?
A: In a deeply unresponsive/unconscious patient, an oropharyngeal airway is safe to use because the gag reflex will be depressed.
Q: When an oropharyngeal airway is inserted properly What is the sign?
A: The correct size OPA is chosen by measuring from the first incisors to the angle of the jaw. The airway is then inserted into the person's mouth upside down. Once contact is made with the back of the throat, the airway is rotated 180 degrees, allowing for easy insertion, and assuring that the tongue is secured.
Q: What is the most common complication after inserting an oral airway?
A: Airway hyperactivity is a potentially lethal complication of OPA use, because oropharyngeal and laryngeal reflexes can be stimulated by the placement of an artificial airway. Coughing, retching, emesis, laryngospasm, and bronchospasm are common reflex responses.
Q: How do you size a Guedel Airway?
A: The OPA is sized by measuring from the center of the mouth to the angle of the jaw, or from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe. The mouth is opened using the “crossed or scissors” finger technique.