What airway device is supraglottic and commonly used during anesthesia or as immediate life-saving care for a failed airway?

• A. Oropharyngeal airway
• B. Endotracheal tube
• C. LMA (Laryngeal Mask Airway)
• D. Nasopharyngeal airway

Answer: (C)

When managing airways, the key idea is a device that sits above the vocal cords to ventilate the lungs without passing through the trachea. The Laryngeal Mask Airway is exactly that: a supraglottic device with a cuff that sits in the pharynx and seals around the laryngeal inlet, allowing effective ventilation quickly without tracheal intubation. This makes it a go-to option during anesthesia for rapid airway control and also a common rescue when mask ventilation is inadequate during a failed airway. It’s faster and less invasive than placing an endotracheal tube, which goes into the trachea and provides a more secure airway with better protection against aspiration, but takes more time and skill. Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways are adjuncts that help keep the airway open but don’t seal over the glottis and aren’t used as the primary supraglottic rescue airway in a failing airway.