If the geriatric patient is actively seizing, which airway device is most appropriate to insert?

In the case of a geriatric patient who is actively seizing, the use of a nasopharyngeal airway is appropriate because it allows for airway maintenance while minimizing the risk of gag reflex and potential airway obstruction. The nasopharyngeal airway can be used when the patient is unconscious but has some level of protection of their airway, making it particularly useful in individuals who are seizing and may have an altered level of consciousness. This device is effective in preventing the tongue from falling back into the pharynx, which is a common cause of airway obstruction in seizing patients.

The other choices are less suitable in this scenario. A bite stick is typically used to prevent the patient from biting their tongue during a seizure, but it doesn’t help maintain the airway. An oropharyngeal airway might not be appropriate since it requires the patient to have no gag reflex, and a seizing geriatric patient may have a gag reflex that could lead to airway obstruction or trauma. Similarly, a tongue depressor is primarily used for examining the mouth and throat and does not serve as an airway device, making it ineffective for managing an active seizure. Therefore, using a nasopharyngeal airway is the most effective way to ensure