What precautions should you take to prevent spinal injury during transport?

• A. Maintain manual stabilization; minimize movement; use a rigid litter or scoop stretcher; avoid neck flexion/extension; log-roll carefully with protection; secure patient.
• B. Move the patient frequently to check for pulses.
• C. Remove all clothing and place the patient upright.
• D. Allow the patient to sit up to aid breathing.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is keeping the spine in a stable, neutral position during transport and minimizing movement to prevent worsening of a potential spinal injury. This means maintaining in-line stabilization of the head and neck, using a rigid litter or scoop stretcher, and securing the patient so they cannot shift. If you need to move them, do so with a controlled log-roll that protects the spine and preserves alignment, rather than jostling or bending the neck. Keeping the patient immobilized from injury onset through transfer helps protect the spinal cord from secondary injury.

Other options violate spinal precautions: checking pulses by moving the patient repeatedly can twist or bend the spine; removing clothing and placing the patient upright disrupts alignment and exposes the spine; allowing the patient to sit up can worsen spinal injury and compromise airway.