AIIMS Delhi NO- 2019
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Easy

In the following picture, little finger under jaw is used because for:

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO- 2019

Explanation

  • The image shows the jaw-thrust maneuver, an essential first-aid technique.
  • In this maneuver, the rescuer's fingers are placed at the angle of the mandible (lower jaw).
  • The purpose of this hand placement is to apply force to physically lift the mandible upward and forward.
  • This action pulls the tongue away from the back of the throat (posterior pharynx), thereby opening the airway.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option B: While the jaw-thrust maneuver is specifically chosen for patients with suspected cervical spine (C-spine) injuries to AVOID moving the neck, the act of lifting the jaw itself does not stabilize the spine. Stabilization is achieved by the rescuer's overall body and hand positioning, keeping the head in a neutral line.
  • Option C: The term 'extend the jaw' is anatomically imprecise. The maneuver involves protruding or thrusting the jaw forward, not extending it in the way a joint is typically extended. 'Lifting the mandible' is a more accurate description of the action.
  • Option D: This is incorrect because option A accurately describes the primary purpose of the finger placement in the jaw-thrust maneuver.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Airway Management Techniques as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • The jaw-thrust is the primary airway opening technique for unconscious trauma patients, as it minimizes movement of the cervical spine.
  • Nurses and first responders must be proficient in this skill as part of Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols.
  • What if? If the patient is unconscious but has no signs of trauma (e.g., a simple faint), the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver is the preferred method because it is often quicker and easier to perform.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the procedure shown in the image. Recognize the hand placement on the jaw as the jaw-thrust maneuver.
  • Second, recall the primary purpose of this maneuver, which is to open the airway.
  • Third, analyze the specific action of the fingers. The fingers are positioned at the angle of the jaw to provide the lifting force.
  • Evaluate the options based on this understanding. 'To lift mandible angle' is the most direct and accurate description of this action.
  • Eliminate other options by considering the nuances. The maneuver is safe for C-spine injuries but doesn't cause stabilization. 'Extend' is an imprecise term for the jaw movement.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Airway Management Techniques
  • Stem keywords: jaw-thrust maneuver, airway management, mandible
  • Lead-in keywords: used because for
  • Clinical cues: Image depicts a hands-on medical procedure on the head and neck.

Question ID

QaURO_2FGRY61HcWd8vrr2

Reference Book

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 96-98

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 2 Part 1 pp. 21-23, 115-117

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