2-4.
PROCEDURE FOR INSERTING AN OROPHARYNGEAL AIRWAY
a. Determine Need for Oropharyngeal Airway. Before you insert an
oropharyngeal airway (J-tube), you must survey the patient, open the airway, clear the
upper airway of obstruction (if applicable), and perform rescue breathing. If the patient
begins breathing on his own but does not regain consciousness and you are unable to
stay with the patient to keep his airway open, a J-tube may be inserted in order to keep
the patient's airway patent.
b. Select the Proper Size Oropharyngeal Airway. To select the correct size
of airway, select one of the J-tubes (figure 2-1) and hold it alongside the patient's jaw
(jaw in the normal position with the mouth closed). Then measure from the corner of
the patient's mouth to the bottom tip of his ear. Use the J-tube that best matches this
measurement.
Figure 2-4. J-tubes.
c. Open the Patient's Airway. Open the patient's mouth using the crossed-
finger method.
(1) Place your crossed thumb and index finger of one hand on the patient's
upper and lower teeth at the corner of the mouth (figure 2-5).
MD0542
2-6