When carrying a patient on a backboard up or down stairs, what should be kept?

When carrying a patient on a backboard up or down stairs, what should be kept?

• A. Head end elevated.
• B. Feet end elevated.
• C. Board flat.
• D. Board rotated.

Answer: (A)

When carrying a patient on a backboard up or down stairs, keep the head end elevated. Elevating the head helps protect the airway in an unconscious patient and reduces the risk of aspiration if vomiting occurs, which is especially important during transport. It also allows the team to maintain better control of neck and spine alignment as you move the patient, helping to stabilize the cervical area while stairs are navigated. Elevating the feet end or keeping the board flat can tilt the patient in ways that compromise airway access and stability, and rotating the board can disrupt spinal alignment during the move.

When carrying a patient on a backboard up or down stairs, keep the head end elevated. Elevating the head helps protect the airway in an unconscious patient and reduces the risk of aspiration if vomiting occurs, which is especially important during transport. It also allows the team to maintain better control of neck and spine alignment as you move the patient, helping to stabilize the cervical area while stairs are navigated. Elevating the feet end or keeping the board flat can tilt the patient in ways that compromise airway access and stability, and rotating the board can disrupt spinal alignment during the move.