What technique should you use to open an airway in a patient with a suspected spinal injury?

• A. Head tilt-chin lift maneuver
• B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
• C. Modified chin lift
• D. Nasopharyngeal airway insertion

Answer: (B)

The jaw-thrust maneuver is the preferred technique to open an airway in a patient with a suspected spinal injury because it minimizes movement of the cervical spine. In cases of spinal injuries, particularly in the cervical region, moving the head or neck can potentially exacerbate any existing damage. The jaw-thrust maneuver involves placing your fingers behind the angles of the jaw and lifting the jaw forward without tilting the head back. This action helps to displace the tongue anteriorly and keeps the airway clear without compromising spinal alignment.

Using other techniques such as the head tilt-chin lift maneuver would involve moving the neck, which is contraindicated in such scenarios due to the risk of worsening spinal injuries. The modified chin lift also requires some degree of neck extension, which is similarly risky. Nasopharyngeal airway insertion is a useful technique but does not directly address the immediate need for airway patenting without causing potential trauma to the cervical spine. Therefore, the jaw-thrust maneuver is the safest and most effective approach for airway management in patients with suspected spinal injuries.