Ch2. Trauma - Spine

Question 1

What are MOI for a spine injury (4)

Answer 1

1. Trauma to the head with loss of response
2. High velocity impact (car/ATV crash climbing falls, ski/biker)
3. Falls greater than 3 feet landing on head or buttocks.
4. Patient over 65

Question 2

Signs and Symptoms of Spine injury (6)

Answer 2

1. pain or tenderness along Spinal column
2. Altered distal sensations( tingling or unusual hot/cold sensations)
3. Weakness or paralysis
4. Respiratory Difficultly
5. Loss of Bladder/Bowels
6. Signs and symptoms of shock

Question 3

How to Protect/treat a spinal injury (10)

Answer 3

1. Control the head manually with hands or head blocks
2. Check Circulation Sensation and Motion before moving patient
3. Establish and maintain neutral alignment of the spine
4. Apply Improvised or commercial collar
5. Move Patient to a padded surface (litter, sleep pad)
6. Maintain spine control with hands or cholks
7. for transportation secure the whole body including head to litter with pading and straps.
8. Supine position is most common, side position acceptable to protect the air way.
9. Check CSMs after moving or stabilizing the patient.
10. Evacuate. Ideally utilize a commercial spinal protection device

Question 4

Evacuation Guidelines for a Spine injury. (2)

Answer 4

1. Evacuate any patient being treated for spine injury

2. Rapid Evacuate any Patient with signs or symptoms of spinal cord injury. Altered CSMs

Question 5

What qualifies for a focus spine assessment?

Answer 5

Patients with MOI for Spine injury, without sign or symptoms of spine injury. This is done a after the Patient Assessment Systems head to toe

Question 6

Describe how to do a focus spine assessment

Answer 6

1. Make sure patient is reliable A+Ox3 or 4 and sober
2. Check CSM (circulation Sensation and motion)
3. Patient denies pain during palpation of spine