North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What is the main priority when repositioning a patient with suspected spinal injuries?

1. Maintaining spinal alignment

2. Quick transport to a hospital

3. Ensuring patient comfort

4. Obtaining consent from the patient

The correct answer is: Maintaining spinal alignment

When repositioning a patient with suspected spinal injuries, maintaining spinal alignment is the primary concern. This is crucial because any movement can potentially exacerbate the injury by causing further damage to the spinal cord or surrounding structures. Proper spinal alignment helps prevent secondary injuries and complications, which can lead to long-term disability. In situations involving suspected spinal injuries, it’s essential to use appropriate techniques to move the patient while keeping their spine in a neutral position. This can involve the use of equipment such as cervical collars and backboards, as well as enlisting a team to ensure that the patient is moved as a unit without twisting or bending the spine. Other considerations, such as quick transport to a hospital or patient comfort, are important but secondary to the immediate need to protect the spinal column. Obtaining consent is also a necessary step in many situations, but in an emergency with a suspected spinal injury, the priority remains ensuring the patient's spinal integrity first and foremost.