When should you use the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver?

The head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver is specifically designed to open the airway in patients who are unresponsive and not breathing adequately. When a person is unresponsive, their tongue can fall back into the throat, potentially obstructing the airway. By applying this technique, which involves tilting the head back and lifting the chin forward, the airway is opened, allowing for improved airflow and access for ventilation if needed.

In the context of this question, utilizing the maneuver facilitates proper airway management in emergencies where the patient cannot maintain their own airway due to unresponsiveness. It is crucial for rescuers to open the airway correctly to perform subsequent lifesaving actions, such as rescue breathing or the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The other options do not accurately describe circumstances for the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver. Clearing an airway in a choking victim often requires different techniques, such as back blows or abdominal thrusts. Assessing breathing in a conscious patient generally wouldn't require this maneuver, as their airway is likely to be patent. Performing rescue breaths is done after ensuring the airway is open, not as part of the maneuver itself.