BoardVitals Intra-Op Practice Test

The modified jaw-thrust maneuver is the preferred technique for opening the airway in situations where there is a suspected head or spinal injury. This method is particularly important because it minimizes movement of the head and neck, which can exacerbate potential injuries to the spinal cord or cervical vertebrae.

In the modified jaw-thrust maneuver, the rescuer places their fingers behind the lower jaw and thrusts the jaw forward while keeping the neck in a neutral position. This helps to maintain an open airway by moving the tongue away from the back of the throat without causing unnecessary movement of the cervical spine.

Other techniques, such as the head tilt-chin lift, involve tilting the head back, which might cause further injury in cases of spinal trauma. Abdominal thrusts are designed for clearing an airway obstruction and are not appropriate for managing airway patency in trauma scenarios. The basic airway maneuver lacks specificity in ensuring spinal protection and is less effective than the modified jaw-thrust in these contexts.

Therefore, the modified jaw-thrust maneuver is the safest and most effective choice when dealing with airway management in patients with suspicious head or spinal injuries.