A 34-year-old is brought in after a high-speed MVC with possible cervical spine injury. Which actions are appropriate during initial trauma resuscitation? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Suspected cervical spine injury requires manual in-line stabilization, jaw thrust (not head-tilt) for airway, logroll with 3-4 personnel for back inspection while protecting the spine, and imaging-supported clearance using NEXUS or Canadian C-Spine rules. The collar is REMOVED only after clinical and radiographic clearance — never to facilitate visual inspection. Long-term backboard immobilization is removed early to prevent pressure injury once moved to the bed.
NEXUS low-risk: no posterior midline tenderness, no intoxication, normal alertness, no focal deficit, no distracting injury → clinical clearance possible without imaging.
GCS 13, complaining of neck pain, no focal deficit. Cervical collar in place. Vital signs stable.
in-line stabilization — Manual holding of the head in neutral alignment to limit cervical motion.
jaw thrust — Airway maneuver lifting the mandible without extending the neck.