How do you identify a spinal injury based on signs and symptoms, and what is your prehospital care?

How do you identify a spinal injury based on signs and symptoms, and what is your prehospital care?

• A. Headache and dizziness; avoid immobilization.
• B. Midline spinal tenderness, numbness/weakness or tingling in extremities, slowed or absent movement; immobilize with cervical collar and backboard, maintain airway, transport with spine precautions.
• C. Any back pain; remove collar.
• D. Only leg numbness.

Answer: (B)

Recognizing a spinal injury relies on signs that point to damage of the spine or spinal cord, especially midline spinal tenderness and neurologic changes. When there is tenderness along the spine, plus numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms or legs, or a significant slowdown or loss of movement, the risk of spinal injury is high and immobilization becomes the immediate priority. Prehospital care focuses on preventing any further movement that could worsen injury: apply in-line stabilization with a cervical collar, secure the patient to a backboard, maintain a patent airway and adequate breathing while keeping the spine aligned, and transport with spine precautions. Do not remove immobilization based on pain alone, and recognize that limited signs like only leg numbness or just headaches/dizziness do not rule in or out a spinal injury. Treat any significant trauma with suspected spinal injury as requiring ongoing immobilization until cleared.

Recognizing a spinal injury relies on signs that point to damage of the spine or spinal cord, especially midline spinal tenderness and neurologic changes. When there is tenderness along the spine, plus numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms or legs, or a significant slowdown or loss of movement, the risk of spinal injury is high and immobilization becomes the immediate priority.

Prehospital care focuses on preventing any further movement that could worsen injury: apply in-line stabilization with a cervical collar, secure the patient to a backboard, maintain a patent airway and adequate breathing while keeping the spine aligned, and transport with spine precautions. Do not remove immobilization based on pain alone, and recognize that limited signs like only leg numbness or just headaches/dizziness do not rule in or out a spinal injury. Treat any significant trauma with suspected spinal injury as requiring ongoing immobilization until cleared.