To select the proper size of an oropharyngeal airway, you should measure from the

To select the proper size of an oropharyngeal airway, you should measure from the

• A. center of the mouth to the posterior ear.
• B. corner of the mouth to the earlobe.
• C. angle of the jaw to the center of the mouth.
• D. corner of the mouth to the superior ear.

Answer: (B)

Measuring from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe is used because this length best approximates how far the airway needs to extend to lift the tongue away from the back of the throat and seat the device so the flange rests at the lips. If the airway is too long, it can push the tongue or tissues backward and cause obstruction or trauma; if it’s too short, the tongue may still block the airway. Other measurement methods don’t reliably reflect the depth needed for an effective fit across patients, making corner-of-mouth to earlobe the practical standard.

Measuring from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe is used because this length best approximates how far the airway needs to extend to lift the tongue away from the back of the throat and seat the device so the flange rests at the lips. If the airway is too long, it can push the tongue or tissues backward and cause obstruction or trauma; if it’s too short, the tongue may still block the airway. Other measurement methods don’t reliably reflect the depth needed for an effective fit across patients, making corner-of-mouth to earlobe the practical standard.