Ch 21: Caring for Head and Spine Injuries

Question 1

A patient’s tooth has been knocked out. What is the recommended fluid of choice in which to place it for transport?

a. Alcohol
b. Milk
c. Sterile dextrose solution
d. Citric-based liquid

Answer 1

b. Milk

Example sentence: “If a patient’s tooth has been knocked out, place it in milk for transport.”

Question 2

It is always best to assume that a head injury is _________ and to care for it accordingly.

a. open
b. minor
c. closed
d. insignificant

Answer 2

c. closed

Question 3

Numbness, loss of feeling, or paralysis that affects the patient’s legs but not her arms probably indicates an injury:

a. to the cervical spine.
b. to the left side of the brain.
c. to the spine below the neck.
d. to the base of the brain.

Answer 3

b. to the left side of the brain.

Question 4

When assessing the extremities of a patient with a suspected spinal cord injury, which of the following should you NOT consider a possible symptom?

a. Spasm
b. Numbness
c. Paralysis
d. Loss of sensation

Answer 4

a. Spasm

Question 5

When providing manual stabilization for a patient with a suspected spinal injury, keep the head in an in-line and ______ position.

a. neutral
b. flexed
c. extended
d. lateral position

Answer 5

a. neutral

Question 6

The fluid that surrounds the brain is called:
a. aqueous humour fluid.
b. hemoplasmatic fluid.
c. synovial fluid.
d. cerebrospinal fluid.

Answer 6

d. cerebrospinal fluid.

Question 7

How many bones are in the spinal column?
a. 22
b. 33
c. 29
d. 44

Answer 7

b. 33

Question 8

The posturing that occurs with a closed head injury is an involuntary movement of the patient’s limbs, referred to as:

A. flexion or extension.
B. tension or relaxation.
C. superior or inferior.
D. reflexive or responsive.

Answer 8

A. flexion or extension.

Question 9

A _______ injury is any injury to the body that may be preventing the patient from realizing pain that would otherwise be felt.

A. spinal
B. traumatic
C. closed
D. distracting

Answer 9

A. spinal

Question 10

All of the following injuries would cause a high suspicion of head or spinal injury, EXCEPT:

A. a fall from a 10-foot ladder.
B. a tossed softball striking a patient’s chest.
C. a minor forehead abrasion caused by diving into a shallow pool.
D. a motor-vehicle collision.

Answer 10

B. a tossed softball striking a patient’s chest.