Question

A 27-year-old man is involved in a high-speed road traffic collision. He is unconscious on arrival. His airway is noisy, respiratory rate 10/min and oxygen saturation 89% on air. His neck is potentially injured. What is the most appropriate immediate airway management?

Accepted Answer

Manual in-line stabilisation of the cervical spine with jaw thrust and high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreathe mask

Answer

Head-tilt chin-lift manoeuvre and cervical collar application

Answer

Attempt endotracheal intubation immediately without manual stabilisation

Answer

Ask him to sit up and cough to clear the airway

Answer

Insert a nasopharyngeal airway without attention to neck position

Practice question

A 27-year-old man is involved in a high-speed road traffic collision. He is unconscious on arrival. His airway is noisy, respiratory rate 10/min and oxygen saturation 89% on air. His neck is potentially injured. What is the most appropriate immediate airway management?