What airway device is typically used for patients with obstructive sleep apnea?

The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device is the primary airway device used for patients with obstructive sleep apnea because it functions by delivering a continuous stream of air that keeps the airways open during sleep. This prevents the airway from collapsing, which is a hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea, thereby allowing for normal breathing patterns and reducing the associated health risks such as daytime fatigue and cardiovascular complications.

In contrast, while a BiPAP device can also aid patients with sleep apnea, it is typically used when CPAP is insufficient or in patients needing different pressure levels for inhalation and exhalation, making it less universally applicable than CPAP. An endotracheal tube is an invasive airway device primarily used for securing airways in emergencies or during surgery and is not indicated for long-term management of sleep apnea. The oropharyngeal airway is used to maintain airway patency in unconscious patients but does not provide the continuous pressure required for effective management of obstructive sleep apnea in conscious individuals.