In trauma with suspected spinal injury, which technique should be avoided when opening the airway?

In trauma with suspected spinal injury, which technique should be avoided when opening the airway?

• A. Head tilt-chin lift
• B. Jaw thrust maneuver
• C. Oropharyngeal airway
• D. Bag-valve mask ventilation

Answer: (A)

In trauma with a suspected spinal injury, protecting the cervical spine while establishing an airway is essential. The head tilt-chin lift moves the head backward and lifts the chin, which extends the neck and can worsen a cervical spine injury. That movement is why it should be avoided. The safer approach is a jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway while keeping the head in a neutral position with manual in-line stabilization. If needed, ventilate with a bag-valve mask during immobilization and use an oropharyngeal airway only when appropriate, ensuring the spine remains immobilized. The key idea is to open the airway without moving the neck.

In trauma with a suspected spinal injury, protecting the cervical spine while establishing an airway is essential. The head tilt-chin lift moves the head backward and lifts the chin, which extends the neck and can worsen a cervical spine injury. That movement is why it should be avoided. The safer approach is a jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway while keeping the head in a neutral position with manual in-line stabilization. If needed, ventilate with a bag-valve mask during immobilization and use an oropharyngeal airway only when appropriate, ensuring the spine remains immobilized. The key idea is to open the airway without moving the neck.