You Have Been Called for an 87-Year-Old Male Who Fell

Multiple Choice

You have been called for an 87-year-old male who fell in his kitchen while making breakfast. He states that he did hit his forehead but managed to catch himself on the way down and did not hit the ground hard. Your assessment reveals him to have kyphosis of the thoracic and cervical spine, but no neurological deficits. Which action is appropriate given these assessment findings?

A) Avoid application of a rigid collar due to the natural deformity of the cervical spine.
B) Disregard application of a rigid collar since the patient has no neurological deficits.
C) Apply a rigid collar and prepare the patient for any discomfort that the collar may cause.
D) Place a soft cervical collar instead of the rigid cervical spine immobilization collar.