In which one of the following situations, the rescuer uses the jaw thrust method to open the airway?

SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-A)

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-A)

Explanation

The jaw-thrust maneuver is a specialized technique used to open the airway of an unconscious patient.
Its primary and critical indication is when a cervical spine or neck injury is known or suspected, often due to trauma.
This method opens the airway by lifting the jaw forward without tilting the head, thus minimizing movement of the potentially injured neck.
This aligns with the principle of "do no further harm" while addressing the life-threatening issue of airway obstruction.

Option A: The head-tilt-chin-lift is the standard maneuver for opening the airway in most CPR situations.
Option B: A history of epilepsy is not a direct indication for a jaw thrust. The choice of maneuver is based on the presence or absence of trauma.
Option C: A past history of head injury is not relevant to the acute management of the airway. The decision is based on the current situation and mechanism of injury.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Airway management techniques in Basic Life Support (BLS), specifically the indication for the jaw-thrust maneuver as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In any trauma situation (e.g., motor vehicle accident, fall from height, diving accident), always assume a cervical spine injury is present until proven otherwise. Prioritize the jaw-thrust maneuver for airway management in these patients.
A nurse's rapid assessment for the mechanism of injury is crucial in deciding the correct airway maneuver. Incorrectly performing a head-tilt-chin-lift on a patient with a cervical fracture can lead to paralysis or death.
What if? If the jaw-thrust maneuver is not effective in opening the airway, the priority shifts. The airway must be opened. Current guidelines suggest carefully attempting a gentle head-tilt-chin-lift as a last resort, because a patent airway is essential for life.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core clinical procedure in the question: the 'jaw thrust method'.
Recall the primary purpose and indication for this procedure. The key feature of the jaw thrust is that it avoids neck movement.
This immediately links the procedure to situations involving potential neck or spinal injury.
Evaluate each option: 'All CPR' is too broad. 'History of epilepsy/head injury' refers to past conditions, not the acute situation.
Select the option that represents the specific, critical reason to choose this maneuver over the standard head-tilt-chin-lift, which is the suspicion of a neck injury.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Airway management techniques in Basic Life Support (BLS), specifically the indication for the jaw-thrust maneuver.
Stem keywords: jaw thrust method, open the airway, rescuer
Lead-in keywords: In which one of the following situations

QmbpAF2Lu9HbNsWZXQ8X8Q

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 616-618

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 3 p. 115-117