Which airway type must the nurse reposition every 8 hours to prevent mucosal necrosis?

The nasopharyngeal airway requires repositioning every 8 hours to prevent mucosal necrosis because it can cause irritation and pressure on the delicate mucosal surfaces of the nasal passages and pharynx. If a nasopharyngeal airway is left in place without being repositioned, it can create localized pressure points that lead to ischemia and subsequent necrosis of the surrounding tissues.

In practice, the nurse must be vigilant about the duration the device remains in situ and should routinely evaluate the condition of the airway to ensure proper placement and minimize mucosal injury. This is particularly important due to the anatomical intersect of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, where the nasopharyngeal airway sits, potentially causing complications if not monitored.

Other airway types, such as nasal cannulas, oropharyngeal airways, and tracheostomy tubes, have different care protocols that do not necessitate the same frequency of repositioning to prevent mucosal damage.