After placing an oropharyngeal airway, which finding best indicates the airway is patent?

• A. Stridor and gurgling audible over the epigastric area.
• B. Chest not rising with ventilation.
• C. No snoring is heard; the airway is patent.
• D. Subcutaneous emphysema is present.

Answer: (C)

Airway patency after placing an oropharyngeal airway is shown by unobstructed airflow, which you assess by listening for obstruction noises. Hearing no snoring means the tongue and surrounding tissues are no longer occluding the airway, so air can flow freely and ventilation is effective. If snoring were present, it would indicate partial obstruction despite the device.

Other findings point to problems beyond simple patency: stridor and gurgling over the airway suggest obstruction or secretions that hinder airflow; chest not rising with ventilation indicates the airway or the ventilation effort isn’t effective, signaling non-patency or a problem with seal or tube placement; subcutaneous emphysema implies an injury allowing air to escape into tissues, not just a blocked airway. So no snoring specifically signals that the airway is open and patent.