New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

After performing a head tilt-chin lift maneuver on an unresponsive patient with a pulse, what should you do next?

1. Place him or her in the recovery position

2. Provide positive-pressure ventilatory assistance

3. Assess respiratory rate, depth, and regularity

4. Suction as needed and insert an airway adjunct

The correct answer is: Suction as needed and insert an airway adjunct

The recommended action following a head tilt-chin lift maneuver on an unresponsive patient with a pulse, particularly in the context of maintaining an open airway, is to suction as needed and insert an airway adjunct. This is crucial because while the head tilt-chin lift improves airway patency by repositioning the tongue and preventing it from obstructing the airway, it is important to assess if any secretions, vomit, or foreign bodies are also obstructing the airway. Suctioning helps clear the airway of these potential obstructions, ensuring that the patient can breathe effectively. Additionally, inserting an airway adjunct, such as an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, provides further support in maintaining an open airway, which is essential for the patient’s oxygenation and ventilation. Assessing respiratory rate, depth, and regularity would typically follow the establishment of an airway, as monitoring the patient's breathing status is important, but it is not the immediate next step after ensuring airway patency. Providing positive-pressure ventilatory assistance is indicated if the patient is not breathing adequately, but it should be preceded by airway management to secure the airway. The recovery position, while useful for a patient who is breathing adequately and has a pulse, is not