When opening the airway of an unresponsive trauma patient in the emergency department, which of the following considerations is correct?
A) Airway assessment must incorporate cervical spine immobilization.
B) Hyperextension of the neck is the only acceptable technique.
C) Flexion of the neck protects the patient from further injury.
D) Airway patency takes priority over cervical spine immobilization.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Airway assessment must incorporate cervical spine immobilization.The patient's head should not be rotated, hyperflexed, or hyperextended to establish and maintain an airway.The cervical spine must be immobilized in all trauma patients until a cervical spinal cord injury has been definitively ruled out.

When Opening the Airway of an Unresponsive Trauma Patient in the Emergency