Airway with C spine Control

The airway is the first priority The airway must assessed and maintained while the cervical spine is immobilized. The airway is assessed for obstruction, edema, foreign bodies, etc., which may occlude air from getting to the lungs. In the event that the patient does not have an established airway, the patient will be either intubated via an endotracheal tube or nasotracheal tube or an airway may have to be obtained through surgical intervention ( i.e. cricothyroidotomy, emergent tracheostomy).

It is important to maintain C- spine alignment and immobilization in the event of C- spine damage to prevent further or possible paralysis or compression of the spinal cord. In the event that the airway is obstructed or occluded, the nurse or individual assessing the airway should use the jaw thrust maneuver without extending the neck to prevent possible damage to the C- spine (Dries & Hayes, 2007).