Respiratory Therapist

Answer: D-A nasopharyngeal airway is recommended for a patient who is having difficulty maintaining a patient upper airway, is conscious, and requires frequent suctioning of secretions.

It provides relief for upper airway obstruction and provides an easily accessible route for suctioning without traumatizing nasal mucosa. The disadvantages are that it is difficult to insert, it must be frequently altered between nares, and the drainage for sinuses can be obstructed.