NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamAirway, Respiration & VentilationEasy
An unresponsive 45-year-old male is found supine with snoring respirations. His pulse is strong and regular. What is the most appropriate initial airway management technique?
- AInsert an oropharyngeal airway (OPA).
- BApply a non-rebreather mask with 15 L/min oxygen.
- CInitiate jaw-thrust maneuver.
- DPerform a head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Perform a head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver.
Snoring respirations in an unresponsive patient indicate an airway obstruction, most commonly caused by the tongue falling back and occluding the pharynx. The head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver is the primary and most effective way to open the airway in a patient without suspected spinal injury.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. An OPA can be inserted AFTER the airway is opened manually and if the patient is unresponsive and has no gag reflex.
- B. Oxygen administration is important, but opening the airway takes precedence to ensure ventilation can occur.
- C. The jaw-thrust maneuver is reserved for patients with suspected spinal injury to minimize neck movement.
Head-Tilt, Chin-Lift
A manual maneuver used to open the airway of an unresponsive patient by extending the head and lifting the chin, displacing the tongue from the posterior pharynx.
- First-line airway opening technique for patients without suspected spinal injury.
- Relieves airway obstruction caused by the tongue.
- Performed by tilting the forehead back and lifting the chin forward.
Memory trick: Open the path, then check the breath.