What are the two most common types of airway adjuncts used?

The two most common types of airway adjuncts used in emergency care are the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways. The oropharyngeal airway is designed to maintain patency of the airway by preventing the tongue from obstructing the airway, making it particularly useful in unconscious patients who do not have a gag reflex. It is inserted into the mouth and extends into the pharynx.

The nasopharyngeal airway, on the other hand, is suitable for both conscious and unconscious patients and is less likely to trigger a gag reflex. It is inserted through the nostril and into the nasopharynx, providing an effective means to assist with ventilation and ensure airway openness.

When considering other types of adjuncts, while laryngeal airways and endotracheal tubes are important in certain situations—like in advanced airway management—they are less commonly used in the initial stages of airway intervention compared to the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways, which are frequently employed in emergency settings to quickly secure the airway. Therefore, the combination of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways represents the most common adjuncts in basic airway management.