Assessment of a Young Girl Who Was Hit While Riding

Multiple Choice

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?

A) Rapidly transfer her to the stretcher with immobilization to the long board done en route to the hospital.
B) Transfer her to the long board already placed on the stretcher and secure with straps en route to the hospital.
C) Take time to completely immobilize her to the long board on scene prior to rapid transport to the hospital.
D) Wait for family members to arrive and give consent for treatment prior to moving her to the stretcher for immediate transport.