Which device is a King airway?

• A. King
• B. OPA
• C. NPA
• D. LMA

Answer: (A)

The King airway is a specific supraglottic airway device used for rapid airway management in the prehospital setting. It’s designed to be inserted blindly through the mouth and positioned so the inflatable cuff seals around the pharynx above the laryngeal inlet, providing a conduit for ventilation without needing endotracheal intubation. Many versions add a gastric drainage channel to reduce the risk of aspiration.

This device is distinct from an oropharyngeal airway, which only helps keep the tongue from blocking the airway and does not provide a seal for ventilation. It’s also different from a nasopharyngeal airway, which passes through the nose. While a laryngeal mask airway is another type of supraglottic device, the brand-name King airway is a separate device with its own design features, including the seal around the pharynx and the gastric channel. That’s why the “King” option is the correct identification.