How To Insert a Nasopharyngeal Airway By Dorothy Habrat, DO, University of New Mexico School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Jul 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Indications Contraindications Complications Equipment Additional Considerations Relevant Anatomy Positioning Step-by-Step Description of Procedure Aftercare Warnings and Common Errors More Information Topic Resources Head and neck positioning... How To Insert a Nasopharyngeal... Nasopharyngeal airways are flexible tubes with one end flared (hence their synonym: nasal trumpets) and the other end beveled that are inserted, beveled end first, through the nares into the pharynx.