Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

Which technique is recommended for opening the airway of a patient who may have suffered a head injury?

1. Head-tilt maneuver

2. Jaw-thrust maneuver

3. Chin-lift technique

4. Modified recovery position

The correct answer is: Jaw-thrust maneuver

The jaw-thrust maneuver is the recommended technique for opening the airway of a patient who may have suffered a head injury because it minimizes movement of the cervical spine, which is crucial in cases of potential spinal injury. This technique involves placing fingers behind the angles of the patient’s jaw and lifting the jaw upward without tilting the head, thereby preserving alignment and preventing further injury. Using the head-tilt maneuver or chin-lift technique could exacerbate a neck injury since these methods involve tilting the head backward, which may cause misalignment in the spine. Therefore, those techniques are not appropriate for patients with suspected head or spinal injuries. The modified recovery position is also not ideal in this scenario, as it prioritizes recovery while potentially compromising airway management in a situation where spinal precautions are necessary.