Which airway technique is indicated for an unresponsive patient with suspected cervical spine injury?

• A. Head Tilt-Chin Lift
• B. Jaw-Thrust Maneuver
• C. Oropharyngeal airway
• D. Nasopharyngeal airway

Answer: (B)

Opening the airway while protecting the spine is essential when there’s a suspected cervical injury. The jaw-thrust maneuver achieves this by lifting the mandible forward to move the tongue and soft tissues away from the airway without tilting or extending the neck. It’s performed with the head held in a neutral position and the neck stabilized, which minimizes movement of the cervical spine. This approach correctly prioritizes spine protection while establishing a patent airway. In contrast, techniques that tilt the head back can worsen spinal injury, and while airway adjuncts like an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway may help once the airway is open, they do not replace the need to open the airway with a jaw thrust while maintaining cervical spine control.