During a critical care transport, a patient with a suspected cervical spine injury is experiencing difficulty with airway patency. What is the most appropriate initial intervention to secure the airway while minimizing the risk of exacerbating the spinal injury?
Performing a jaw-thrust maneuver
Inserting an oropharyngeal airway
Using a head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
Considering Rapid Sequence Induction for Intubation (RSI)
Using the jaw-thrust maneuver instead of the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver is correct because it allows for airway management without causing further movement of a potentially unstable cervical spine. The oropharyngeal airway can help maintain patency but should be used only if the patient does not have a gag reflex. Nasal airways should be avoided if there is any suspicion of a basilar skull fracture. RSI may be considered after securing initial airway patency, but it is not the initial step in managing difficulties encountered with the airway in this specific scenario.
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What is a jaw-thrust maneuver, and how is it performed?
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BCEN CFRN
Resuscitation Principles
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