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Table of Contents
Thisย basic airway manoeuvres guide provides a step-by-step approach to performing a head-tilt & chin-lift or jaw thrust in an OSCE setting. Basic airway manoeuvres may be assessed in an OSCE as an individual skill, in combination with other airway management skills or as part of an ABCDE assessment.
Indications
Basic airway manoeuvres relieve upper airway obstruction in patients with a reduced level of consciousness. The tongue and soft palate can obstruct the upper airway in patients with a reduced level of consciousness.ย
These basic airway manoeuvres do not require equipmentย and areย quick to perform.ย
Indications of upper airway obstruction include:
- Snoring
- Gurgling noises
- Hypoxia
- No fogging of oxygen mask
Head-tilt & chin-lift
The head-tilt & chin-lift manoeuvre anteriorly lifts the tongue and soft tissues of the pharynx to open the airway.ย This manoeuvre should not be performedย in a patient with aย suspected spinal injuryย as it causes extension of the cervical spine.
To perform a head-tilt & chin-lift:
1. Place one hand on the patientโs forehead and the other under the chin.
2. Tilt the forehead back whilst lifting the chin forward to extend the neck.
Jaw thrust
Theย jaw thrust involves lifting the mandible to move theย tongue and relieve upper airway obstruction. The jaw thrust can be used in patients with aย suspected spinal injury, as it does not extend the cervical spine.ย
To perform aย jaw thrust:
1. Identify the angle of the mandible
2. Place two fingers under the angle of the mandible (on both sides) and anchor your thumbs on the patient’s cheeks
3. Lift the mandible forwards
To complete the procedure…
Continue toย monitor the airwayย and deliverย interventionsย as required (e.g.ย basic life support,ย ABCDE assessment).
Consider inserting an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway.ย