Which maneuver helps maintain an open airway during bag-mask ventilation in a child?

Which maneuver helps maintain an open airway during bag-mask ventilation in a child?

• A. Chin tilt
• B. Head lift
• C. Jaw thrust
• D. Shoulder shrug

Answer: (B)

Opening the airway for bag-mask ventilation relies on keeping the airway aligned and free from obstruction. A gentle head lift accomplishes this by slightly raising the head so the tongue and soft tissues do not fall back and block the airway, and by helping achieve a better seal between the mask and the face. In children, the airway is easily obstructed and the large occiput can cause the head to rest in a position that favors flexion; a small head lift counteracts that tendency and keeps the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes more in line for easy ventilation. Jaw thrust is more about moving the jaw forward when a cervical spine injury is possible, and chin tilt is part of the traditional nontraumatic airway opening technique but may be less reliable in maintaining a consistent open airway during continuous bag-mask ventilation in a child. Shoulder shrug does not affect airway patency.

Opening the airway for bag-mask ventilation relies on keeping the airway aligned and free from obstruction. A gentle head lift accomplishes this by slightly raising the head so the tongue and soft tissues do not fall back and block the airway, and by helping achieve a better seal between the mask and the face. In children, the airway is easily obstructed and the large occiput can cause the head to rest in a position that favors flexion; a small head lift counteracts that tendency and keeps the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes more in line for easy ventilation.

Jaw thrust is more about moving the jaw forward when a cervical spine injury is possible, and chin tilt is part of the traditional nontraumatic airway opening technique but may be less reliable in maintaining a consistent open airway during continuous bag-mask ventilation in a child. Shoulder shrug does not affect airway patency.