Board of Legal SpecializationPractice Exam

If a patient is unresponsive and you suspect a head injury, which airway technique should you use?

1. Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver

2. Modified jaw-thrust maneuver

3. Pulse check maneuver

4. Back blow command

The correct answer is: Modified jaw-thrust maneuver

In situations where a patient is unresponsive and a head injury is suspected, the modified jaw-thrust maneuver is the most appropriate airway technique to employ. This technique is specifically designed to open the airway of a patient while minimizing movement of the cervical spine, which is crucial in cases of head injuries where spinal cord injury may also be a concern. The modified jaw-thrust maneuver involves placing your hands on either side of the patient’s jaw and lifting it forward. By keeping the head and neck in a neutral position, this method mitigates the risk of exacerbating any potential spinal injuries. It also effectively opens the airway by displacing the tongue away from the back of the throat, which is critical in unresponsive patients who may be at risk of airway obstruction. Understanding the implications of head trauma is vital in emergency situations. Many other airway techniques, such as head-tilt chin-lift maneuver, involve moving the head, which could lead to further injury if there is an undiagnosed cervical spine injury. The pulse check maneuver and back blow command are not relevant to airway management for unresponsive patients and do not address the critical need to maintain an open airway. Therefore, the modified jaw-thrust maneuver is the most suitable choice in this context for ensuring