When immobilizing a child on a long backboard, you should

When immobilizing a child on a long backboard, you should

• A. Place padding under the hips as needed
• B. Pad under the head
• C. Place padding under the shoulders as needed
• D. Remove padding from behind the neck

Answer: (C)

Maintaining proper spinal alignment and airway safety is the priority when immobilizing a child on a long backboard. In pediatric patients, the head is relatively large for the body, and the shoulders are smaller, so without support the upper spine can move into an undesirable position as you secure the patient. Placing padding under the shoulders fills the gap between the torso and the backboard, helping to keep the spine in a neutral, straight line from head through to the pelvis. This support prevents the head from tipping into extension or flexion, reduces pressure points on the neck, and helps keep the airway open during transport. Padding under the hips or under the head alone can misalign the spine or push the head into an unsafe position, and removing padding behind the neck can allow the head to shift and extend, also risking airway compromise and movement. By prioritizing padding under the shoulders, you achieve better overall alignment and stabilization for the child.

Maintaining proper spinal alignment and airway safety is the priority when immobilizing a child on a long backboard. In pediatric patients, the head is relatively large for the body, and the shoulders are smaller, so without support the upper spine can move into an undesirable position as you secure the patient. Placing padding under the shoulders fills the gap between the torso and the backboard, helping to keep the spine in a neutral, straight line from head through to the pelvis. This support prevents the head from tipping into extension or flexion, reduces pressure points on the neck, and helps keep the airway open during transport.

Padding under the hips or under the head alone can misalign the spine or push the head into an unsafe position, and removing padding behind the neck can allow the head to shift and extend, also risking airway compromise and movement. By prioritizing padding under the shoulders, you achieve better overall alignment and stabilization for the child.