Ace the North Carolina EMS Exam 2025 – Be a Lifesaver and Ride to the Rescue!

In emergency scenarios, particularly when a patient is found unconscious and has sustained a potential spinal injury—as is often the case with falls—it's crucial to use an airway management technique that minimizes movement of the spine. The modified jaw thrust is designed to open the airway while maintaining cervical spine alignment, which is essential to prevent exacerbating any spinal injuries that may have occurred during the fall.

The modified jaw thrust maneuver involves placing your fingers behind the angles of the patient's jaw and pushing the jaw upward without tilting the head back. This technique allows for effective airway management without the risk of causing further damage, especially if there's any suspicion of a spinal cord injury. It opens the airway by lifting the jaw and relieving any obstruction caused by the tongue falling back or other objects.

In contrast, using a head-tilt/chin-lift or simply head-tilt only involves more significant movement of the neck and head, which could lead to complications if the patient has an undiagnosed spinal injury. The head-tilt/neck-lift option similarly does not provide adequate spinal immobilization and could increase the risk of injury. Therefore, the modified jaw thrust is the most appropriate choice in this situation, aligning with best practices for trauma patients who are unresponsive.