When providing care to a patient with suspected spinal injury, how should the airway be managed?

In managing the airway of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, the jaw-thrust maneuver is critical because it allows for airway opening without extending the neck, which could exacerbate any potential spinal injury. This technique helps maintain stability of the cervical spine while effectively opening the airway, making it a preferred method in such situations.

Other airway management techniques, such as the head tilt-chin lift, involve neck movement and could unintentionally worsen spinal damage. Immediate intubation may be necessary in certain critical situations but should not be the first approach for airway management as it also involves potential neck manipulation. Administering oxygen without manipulating the neck can be beneficial, but it doesn’t actively address airway obstruction, which is the primary concern in a patient suspected of having a spinal injury. Utilizing the jaw-thrust maneuver allows for maintaining the airway while prioritizing spinal integrity.