Final answer:
The jaw-thrust maneuver should be used to open a patient's airway when a spinal injury is suspected, as it avoids movement of the head and neck which could further injure the spine.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a spinal injury is suspected in a patient, it is critical to open the patient's airway without causing further injury to the spine. The appropriate maneuver for opening the airway in such cases is the jaw-thrust technique. This method does not involve moving the neck or head, which could exacerbate a potential spinal injury. Instead, it is performed by placing the fingers behind the angle of the lower jaw and lifting with both hands, pushing the jaw forward. This shift in jaw position moves the tongue away from the back of the throat, helping to open the airway. The jaw-thrust maneuver is preferable over the head tilt-chin lift or head tilt-neck lift maneuvers, which involve moving the patient's head and neck and could potentially harm a patient with a spinal injury.