When approaching a patient with possible neck injury in a crash, you should:

When approaching a patient with possible neck injury in a crash, you should:

• A. Approach from the front and apply manual stabilization of the cervical spine
• B. Approach from behind and destabilize
• C. Delay stabilization until after moving
• D. Call for a supervisor

Answer: (A)

Preventing further spinal injury is the top priority when a neck injury is suspected. As you approach a crash victim, you keep the neck in a neutral position with manual stabilization—placing your hands on either side of the head to prevent movement—and you proceed with assessment and airway management while maintaining inline stabilization. Approaching from the front allows you to control head and neck alignment directly and apply stabilization smoothly, then you can add a cervical collar if available. Moving from behind or attempting to move the patient without stabilizing can cause dangerous neck rotation or flexion. Delaying stabilization until after moving also risks worsening injury, and while calling for a supervisor may be necessary, it does not replace the need to stabilize the spine immediately.

Preventing further spinal injury is the top priority when a neck injury is suspected. As you approach a crash victim, you keep the neck in a neutral position with manual stabilization—placing your hands on either side of the head to prevent movement—and you proceed with assessment and airway management while maintaining inline stabilization. Approaching from the front allows you to control head and neck alignment directly and apply stabilization smoothly, then you can add a cervical collar if available. Moving from behind or attempting to move the patient without stabilizing can cause dangerous neck rotation or flexion. Delaying stabilization until after moving also risks worsening injury, and while calling for a supervisor may be necessary, it does not replace the need to stabilize the spine immediately.