When assessing a patient's airway, which technique is typically used?

The head-tilt, chin-lift technique is the standard method for opening the airway in an unresponsive patient who does not have any suspected spinal injuries. This technique involves tilting the patient's head back slightly while lifting the chin, which helps to reposition the tongue and allows for better airflow into the trachea.

In situations where spinal injury is suspected, the jaw thrust maneuver is preferred because it minimizes neck movement and reduces the risk of exacerbating a spinal injury. Suctioning is a critical procedure for clearing obstructed airways but is not used as an initial technique for airway assessment. Verbal prompting may be used for patients who are responsive, but it does not effectively ensure an open airway when dealing with unresponsive patients. Therefore, the head-tilt, chin-lift is often the first approach taken when assessing and managing a patient's airway.