In suspected spinal injury, which action is contraindicated?

In suspected spinal injury, which action is contraindicated?

• A. Remove helmet immediately to check airway.
• B. Logroll the patient without maintaining spine alignment.
• C. Move the patient without spinal precautions.
• D. Maintain spine precautions: immobilize with cervical collar and backboard.

Answer: (D)

When a spinal injury is suspected, the priority is to prevent any movement of the spine to avoid further injury to the spinal cord. The safest and most appropriate action is to maintain spine precautions throughout care: immobilize the head and neck with a cervical collar and secure the patient to a backboard, keeping the spine in a neutral, aligned position. Any movement or rearrangement should be done only with proper spinal immobilization in place, and airway management should be performed with inline stabilization. Removing a helmet immediately to check the airway can disrupt neck stability and compromise alignment, unless airway needs forceful intervention and you can maintain cervical stabilization throughout. Logging and moving a patient without maintaining spine alignment risks worsening injury. Moving the patient without spinal precautions likewise permits dangerous twisting or bending of the neck and spine. So, preserving spine precautions and immobilization is the correct approach, while actions that involve moving or adjusting the patient without maintaining alignment are contraindicated.

When a spinal injury is suspected, the priority is to prevent any movement of the spine to avoid further injury to the spinal cord. The safest and most appropriate action is to maintain spine precautions throughout care: immobilize the head and neck with a cervical collar and secure the patient to a backboard, keeping the spine in a neutral, aligned position. Any movement or rearrangement should be done only with proper spinal immobilization in place, and airway management should be performed with inline stabilization.

Removing a helmet immediately to check the airway can disrupt neck stability and compromise alignment, unless airway needs forceful intervention and you can maintain cervical stabilization throughout. Logging and moving a patient without maintaining spine alignment risks worsening injury. Moving the patient without spinal precautions likewise permits dangerous twisting or bending of the neck and spine.

So, preserving spine precautions and immobilization is the correct approach, while actions that involve moving or adjusting the patient without maintaining alignment are contraindicated.