If spinal injury is suspected, which action should be maintained during patient handling?

If spinal injury is suspected, which action should be maintained during patient handling?

• A. Manual stabilization of the head to maintain alignment
• B. Twist the neck to check airway
• C. Move the head to clear the spine
• D. Remove head stabilization to speed transport

Answer: (A)

When spinal injury is suspected, keep the head and neck aligned and prevent movement during handling. Maintaining in-line stabilization minimizes any additional movement that could worsen damage to the spinal cord. Twisting the neck or moving the head to clear the spine risks worsening injury, and removing head stabilization to speed transport increases that risk. If airway management is needed, perform maneuvers that preserve spinal alignment (for example, in-line stabilization while using techniques like a jaw-thrust). The key idea is to avoid any motion of the spine while moving or assessing the patient.

When spinal injury is suspected, keep the head and neck aligned and prevent movement during handling. Maintaining in-line stabilization minimizes any additional movement that could worsen damage to the spinal cord. Twisting the neck or moving the head to clear the spine risks worsening injury, and removing head stabilization to speed transport increases that risk. If airway management is needed, perform maneuvers that preserve spinal alignment (for example, in-line stabilization while using techniques like a jaw-thrust). The key idea is to avoid any motion of the spine while moving or assessing the patient.