Question

The paramedic asks you to help position the patient to facilitate intubation. What is the best way to position the patient?

A Raise the patient's legs.
B Lift the patient's neck.
C Help pad under the patient's shoulders.
D Turn the patient on her side.

Answer 1

To facilitate intubation, the patient should be placed in the 'sniffing position' by padding under their shoulders, which aligns the oral, pharyngeal, and tracheal axes for better visualization of the vocal cords.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best way to position a patient to facilitate intubation is to help pad under the patient's shoulders. This positioning is known as the sniffing position and it aligns the oral, pharyngeal, and tracheal axes to create an optimal visualization of the vocal cords for intubation. The patient's head should be slightly extended at the neck, similar to a person sniffing the air. This is typically accomplished by placing a small pad or folded towel under the patient's shoulders, thereby helping to elevate the head and neck into the correct position.