Question

Why is an oropharyngeal airway inserted upside down then “flipped” when reaching the soft palate?

subject is nursing

Answer 1

While inserting an oropharngeal airway,the tip of the airway will be pointed upwards till the midway,into the mouth.Then it is rotated 180 degree or flipped,by which the tip will face the tongue.By doing the flipping,the tongue will be lying along the oropharyngeal airway curve ,protecting it from pushing into the posterior pharynx,and blocking the airway.