Why should the nasopharyangeal airway not be used if there is evidence of clear fluid coming from nose or ears?

If there is evidence of clear fluid coming from the nose or ears, a nasopharyngeal airway should not be used because it could lead to the fluid being forced into the middle ear or sinuses, causing further damage and potential complications such as infections like otitis media or sinusitis. The clear fluid may indicate a cerebrospinal fluid leak, requiring emergent care and additional evaluation to accurately diagnose and appropriately manage the cause of the leak.