What is the preferred method for immobilizing a suspected spinal injury?

The preferred method for immobilizing a suspected spinal injury involves the use of a cervical collar and a long backboard. This approach is essential for several reasons.

A cervical collar provides preliminary stabilization of the cervical spine by limiting movement of the neck, which is crucial in preventing any further injury to the spinal cord. Following the placement of the collar, a long backboard is utilized to secure the patient’s body, maintaining alignment from the head down through the spine and pelvis. This combination ensures that the entire spinal column is immobilized and minimizes any potential movement during transport.

This method not only helps protect the integrity of the spinal cord but also allows for effective assessment and management of airway and respiratory needs while maintaining spinal immobilization. The long backboard can assist in positioning the patient safely for extrication or transport, ensuring that proper protocols for suspected spinal injuries are followed rigorously.

Other options, such as a soft neck pillow, would not provide the rigid support needed for spinal immobilization, and a back brace alone lacks the necessary head and neck stabilization. Strapping a patient directly to a stretcher without the use of both a cervical collar and a backboard could allow for inadvertent movement of the spine, increasing the risk of further injury. Hence, the