What is a nasopharyngeal airway used for?
A nasopharyngeal airway device (NPA) is a hollow plastic or soft rubber tubes that a healthcare provider can utilize to assist with patient oxygenation and ventilation in patients who are difficult to oxygenate or ventilate via bag mask ventilation, for example.
What is NPA in the army?
Nasopharyngeal airway. This makes airway management necessary, and an NPA is one of the available tools. …
When should a nasopharyngeal airway be used?
Nasopharyngeal airways can be used in some settings where oropharyngeal airways cannot, eg, oral trauma or trismus (restriction of mouth opening including spasm of muscles of mastication). Nasopharyngeal airways may also help facilitate bag-valve-mask ventilation.
How do you size a nasopharyngeal airway?
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 the largest that will fit. To determine this, select the size that approximates the diameter of the patient’s little finger.
What patients can nasopharyngeal airway be used?
Due to the depth of an appropriately placed OPA, they can only be used in the unconscious patient to prevent gagging and vomiting of gastric contents. Nasopharyngeal airways are also used to keep the airway open and can be used with patients who are conscious or semi-conscious.
Can nurses put in a nasopharyngeal airway?
2.1 The Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), Graduate Nurse (GN), Graduate Psychiatric Nurse (GPN) will insert, maintain, remove and suction a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA).
What is a potential complication of using a nasopharyngeal airway that is too long?
If the NPA is too long, it will either enter the larynx and irritate the coughing and gag reflexes, or be inserted into the vallecula, possibly causing an airway obstruction. If too short, the NPA will fail to separate the soft palate and dropped tongue base from the pharynx.
Is NPA illegal?
The Government of the Philippines has outlawed the NPA along with the CPP as through the Anti-Subversion Act of 1957 which branded the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas-1930 and the Hukbalahap as an “organized conspiracy”. As splinter groups which had roots to the two organization, the ban extended to the CPP-NPA.
How do you place an NPA?
How to insert an NPA
- Lubricate the nasopharyngeal airway with water-soluble jelly.
- Insert into the nostril (preferably right) vertically along the floor of the nose with a slight twisting action. Aim towards the back of the opposite eyeball.
- Confirm airway patency.
Can you use an NPA on a conscious patient?
Nasopharyngeal airways are also used to keep the airway open and can be used with patients who are conscious or semi-conscious. For example, semi-conscious patients may need an NPA because they are at risk for airway obstruction but cannot have an OPA placed due to an intact gag reflex.