Your patient is a 35-year-old trauma victim who is not breathing. You are unable to open the airway by means of the jaw thrust and suctioning. You should:
A . Attempt a mouth-to-mask ventilation.
B . Use the head-tilt/chin-lift technique.
C . Ventilate with a bag-valve-mask unit.
D . Insert an airway through a tracheostomy.
Answer: B
Explanation:
Although the head-tilt/chin-lift is not ordinarily used on trauma patients because it interferes with spinal immobilization and alignment, opening the airway takes priority over all other considerations. Be sure to document your actions in the patient care report.