If a 65-year-old man is making a snoring sound, what airway management technique is most appropriate?

In this scenario, the most appropriate airway management technique for a 65-year-old man making a snoring sound is the insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway. A snoring sound typically indicates that the airway is obstructed, likely due to the soft tissues of the throat collapsing during breathing.

The nasopharyngeal airway helps to keep the airway open by providing a clear passage through the nasal cavity and into the pharynx. This is particularly useful in cases where patients are still able to maintain some level of consciousness and may be unable to adequately protect their airway due to relaxation of the upper airway muscles during sleep or sedation.

The other options, while they serve important functions in airway management, may not directly address the obstruction indicated by the snoring sound. For example, an oropharyngeal airway is often used for unconscious patients as it can cause gagging if the patient is awake. Supplemental oxygen might help with oxygenation but does not resolve the airway obstruction. Suctioning may be necessary if there is visible obstruction from fluids, but in the case of a snoring sound without other indications of fluid accumulation, it would not be the targeted intervention. The nasopharyngeal airway provides the most direct and effective means