What is the purpose of the head-tilt/chin-lift technique?

The head-tilt/chin-lift technique is primarily used to lift the tongue and epiglottis out of their obstructing position in order to clear the airway. When a person is unresponsive or cannot maintain their airway on their own, this technique is utilized to ensure that the airway remains open by repositioning the structures in the throat that may be blocking airflow. In particular, the tongue can fall back into the airway when a patient is supine, and this technique effectively counteracts that by extending the neck and lifting the mandible, which subsequently positions the tongue forward, minimizing the risk of airway obstruction.

The other choices, while related to airway management, do not precisely encapsulate the primary purpose of this technique. The head-tilt/chin-lift is not specifically aimed at inserting airway adjuncts or removing foreign bodies but rather at facilitating a clear airway during resuscitation efforts. Furthermore, while lifting the structures may aid visualization in some instances, the primary aim of this maneuver is to ensure the airway remains open for ventilation rather than for direct visualization of the larynx and vocal cords.