When are oropharyngeal airways contraindicated? 1. When foreign body obstruction already exists 2. In patients who are unconscious or comatose 3. In cases of oromaxillary or mandibular trauma

a. 1, 2, and 3
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 3 only
d. 1 and 2 only

ANS: B
Because insertion of an oropharyngeal airway can provoke a gag reflex, vomiting, or laryngeal spasm, these devices generally are contraindicated for conscious or semiconscious patients. They also are contraindicated when there is trauma to the oral cavity or mandibular or maxillary areas of the skull. Moreover, these airways should never be placed when either a space-occupying le-sion or a foreign body obstructs the oral cavity or pharynx.