Which airway management method is contraindicated in a patient with a suspected spinal injury?

• A. Head tilt-chin lift
• B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
• C. Nasal cannula
• D. Oropharyngeal airway

Answer: (A)

In suspected spinal injury, keep the neck in a neutral position while securing the airway. The head tilt-chin lift involves tilting the head back and lifting the chin, which moves and extends the cervical spine. That movement can worsen an injury to the neck or spinal cord, so it’s avoided in trauma.

The jaw-thrust maneuver, by contrast, opens the airway without tilting the head, preserving spinal alignment and making it the preferred manual technique when cervical injury is possible.

A nasal cannula only delivers oxygen and doesn’t involve airway maneuvers that move the head or neck, so it’s not a direct airway manipulation but can be used for supplemental oxygen if airway patency is adequate.

An oropharyngeal airway can help maintain a patent airway without neck movement, especially if the patient is unconscious and lacks a gag reflex, aligning with spinal precautions.

So the maneuver that is contraindicated is the head tilt-chin lift because it requires neck extension that risks worsening spinal injury.