Purpose of Module:
The purpose of this module is to review the principles of establishing an open airway, and maintaining that airway using either a oropharyngeal airway or nasopharyngeal airway, and employing the use of a vacuum device to suction foreign material from an airway.

Time to Complete Airway Adjuncts Module: 1 hour

Directions for Using the Airway Adjuncts Module:

* You must spend at least 1/2 hour doing hands-on training.
1. Read the training objectives.
2. Review Brady Emergency Care, Eighth Edition pp. 100-113.
3. Watch the video tape by Laerdal "V-VAC Suction Unit" and review Mosby "EMT-Basic Video Series Module 2 AIRWAY" tape if necessary.
4. Use the MED EMT computer based training software and complete Chapter 9, Sections 4 and 5.
5. Use Airway checklist & practice airway on the adult mannequin.
6. Take the posttest.
7. Give the module back to the instructor or person in charge.

Training Objectives:

1. Review the importance of having a suction unit ready for immediate use when providing emergency care.
2. Review techniques of suctioning.
3. Review how to measure and insert both an oropharyngeal airway and a nasopharyngeal airway.
4. Review the indications, contraindications, and technique for inserting both an oropharyngeal airway and a nasopharyngeal airway.
5. Perform insertion of both an oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway on an adult mannequin.
6. Perform manual suctioning on an adult mannequin using the V-VAC

Activities to Perform:

1. Watch the video tape by Laerdal "V-VAC Suction Unit" and review Mosby "EMT-Basic Video Series Module 2 AIRWAY" tape if necessary.
2. Use the MED EMT computer based training software and complete Chapter 9, Sections 4 and 5.
3. Use the Airway adjuncts skill checklist to verify steps for inserting both an oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway and performing a manual suction.
4. Perform insertion of both an oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway on an adult mannequin.
5. Perform manual suctioning on an adult mannequin using the V-VAC.
6. Take the posttest to give yourself feedback on this module.

Posttest:

1. Oropharyngeal airways can be used on unconscious patients, except
those who:
A. are in cardiac arrest.
B. have a gag reflex.
C. are under 8 years old.
D. have a contagious respiratory disease.

2. The nasopharyngeal airway is popular because it:
A. comes in more sizes than the oropharyngeal airway.
B. often does not stimulate a gag reflex.
C. can be used even if clear (CSF) fluid is seen in the nose or ears.
D. is made of rigid clear plastic which is less likely to cause
bleeding.

3. Nasopharyngeal airways must be lubricated to ease insertion; you should use:
A. petroleum jelly.
B. any petroleum-based lubricant, such as WD-40
C. any silicone-based lubricant.
D. any water-based lubricant.

4. One method of determining which size nasopharyngeal airway to use is by:
A. comparing it to the diameter of the patient's little finger.
B. measuring from the patient's nostril to the ear lobe.
C. using the largest airway that will fit in the patient's nostril without force.
D. All of the above.

5. A suction device, whether portable or mounted, must generate a vacuum of:
A. 100 mm Hg. C. 300 mm Hg.
B. 200 mm Hg. D. 400 mm Hg

Answers: (1) B (2) B (3) D (4) D (5) C