To make oral intubation easier, how should the patient's head and neck be positioned?

a. Neck extended over the edge of the bed, with head dangling down
b. Neck extended, with head supported by towel and flexed forward
c. Both the neck and head fully extended, with neck supported by towel
d. Neck flexed, with head supported by towel and tilted back

ANS: D
You achieve this alignment by combining moderate cervical flexion with extension of the atlan-tooccipital joint. Placement of one or more rolled towels under the patient's head helps. You then flex the neck and tilt the head backward with your hand (Figure 36-14).