A 50-year-old man who fell approximately 20 feet and landed on a hard surface is semiconscious. You should:

In a scenario involving a semiconscious patient who has sustained a significant fall, it is crucial to prioritize spinal protection, given the potential for head or spinal injuries. The jaw-thrust maneuver is particularly important in this case because it opens the airway without compromising cervical spine alignment, which is necessary if a spinal injury is suspected. By stabilizing the head and performing the jaw-thrust maneuver, you can help ensure that the airway remains patent while minimizing any further injury to the spine.

This approach takes precedence because it directly addresses the immediate need to secure the airway, which is vital in a semiconscious patient who may not have the ability to maintain their own airway. Administering oxygen or performing CPR are considerations that come after ensuring airway management, as they could potentially worsen a spinal injury if not performed with the appropriate precautions in mind. Similarly, rolling the patient onto their side could jeopardize spinal stability and should be avoided in compromised patients until a definitive assessment can be made.