Exam 32: Spinal Column and Spinal Cord Trauma

When applying a cervical spine immobilization collar (CSIC) to a young boy who fell out of a tree, the EMT realizes the collar benefits the patient by:

A male driver was ejected from his vehicle after it rolled several times at a high rate of speed. As you approach the patient you note that he is unresponsive and struggling to breathe. He also has a laceration to the left side of his face and multiple contusions to his legs. After assigning another EMT to take manual in-line spinal stabilization, what should you do?

Which one of the following shows that the EMTs are correctly using a vest-type short spine immobilization device?

An Emergency Medical Responder reports that a male patient, injured while playing football, has bruising to the lumbar area of the back. Based on this statement, the EMT should expect to find bruising in which area?

While performing the primary assessment on a patient with an isolated spinal cord injury, you note that he is in severe respiratory distress and struggling to breathe. Where should you suspect the spinal cord injury has occurred?

Which one of the following instructions from one EMT to another shows the correct application of a cervical spine immobilization collar?

Which one of the following statements about removing a helmet in the prehospital setting is true?

Assessment of a young girl who was hit while riding her bike reveals her to be responsive to painful stimuli with flexion of the extremities and in respiratory distress. There is marked deformity to her thoracic spine and bruising noted to her anterior chest and abdomen. She does not move her legs when a noxious stimulus is applied to the lower extremities. Manual in-line spinal stabilization is being held and a cervical collar has been applied. Given the critical nature of this patient, which one of the following is most appropriate for her care?

An elderly patient has fallen down a flight of stairs and is complaining of neck and back pain as well as weakness to both legs. The primary assessment reveals no life threats to the airway, breathing, or circulation. Manual in-line spinal stabilization is being maintained. Which of the following would the EMT do next?

A 43-year-old male has fallen from a roof and cannot move or feel his arms or legs. When assessing the patient, which one of the following signs would lead the EMT to suspect the patient is suffering from spinal shock?

A patient has just been log rolled and positioned onto the long backboard. Which one of the following care measures should be performed next?

The EMT is caring for a patient who has a problem with the autonomic component of his nervous system. Which sign or symptom would most likely be caused by this condition?

You have arrived on a shooting where a middle-aged male has suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. As you approach the patient, you note that he is sitting up and talking with the police officer holding a blood-soaked towel over the left upper quadrant of his abdomen. Your initial action in caring for this patient is to:

A minivan has struck a utility pole and is on fire. The driver is unresponsive and has life-threatening injuries. Which one of the following would be most appropriate when extricating the patient from the vehicle?

A window washer has fallen 20 feet from scaffolding while washing the windows on an office building. He is alert and oriented, but states that he cannot move or feel his legs. Additionally, because his blood pressure is 82/48 mmHg, you suspect spinal shock. What other assessment finding reinforces your suspicion of spinal shock?

A patient involved in a diving accident has his head positioned so that his left cheek is touching his left shoulder. He states that he has severe pain in his neck and it hurts to move his head. He denies numbness, tingling, or decreased strength in his arms or legs. Which one of the following is the EMT's best course of action?

A football player was struck in the head and is complaining of a headache and nausea. He also states that he has pain to his upper back and tingling in his left hand. The EMT is providing proper care for the patient when he:

Which one of the following shows that the EMT is correctly assessing motor function in the arms of a patient with potential spine injuries?

When performing the secondary assessment, what sign is most suggestive of a spinal cord injury?

A restrained driver of a car, that struck another car from behind at a low rate of speed, has a bruise to her forehead and complains of tingling in her left leg. She is lying on the side of the road and another EMT has taken manual in-line spinal stabilization. A quick scan of her as you approach indicates that she is in little to no distress. Which one of the following should you do first?