If you suspect a patient has a neck injury, which technique should you use to open their airway?

The jaw-thrust maneuver is the correct technique to use when you suspect that a patient has a neck injury. This method is specifically designed to minimize movement of the cervical spine while allowing you to open the airway. In cases of potential spinal injuries, it's crucial to avoid any movement that could exacerbate the injury; the jaw-thrust maneuver helps to keep the head and neck in a neutral position.

Using the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver or the chin lift maneuver could introduce unnecessary strain on the neck, which may lead to further injury for the patient. The neck extension maneuver is also not advised in cases of suspected neck injury because it involves bending the neck, which could potentially worsen the condition. Therefore, the jaw-thrust maneuver is the safest and most effective method for maintaining airway patency in this scenario.