Which protocol should be used to restrict movement of the spine during suspected spinal injury?

• A. The protocol for managing submersion injuries.
• B. The protocol for managing hemorrhage.
• C. The protocol for managing head injuries.
• D. The protocol for spinal motion restriction.

Answer: (D)

When a spinal injury is suspected, the priority is to prevent any movement of the spine to avoid worsening potential damage to the spinal cord. The spinal motion restriction protocol is designed specifically for this purpose. It emphasizes maintaining in-line stabilization, immobilizing the neck with a collar, and securing the patient to a rigid surface or spine board so the spine stays aligned during assessment and transport. Handling is done as a unit to avoid twisting or flexing the spine, with careful transfer procedures to preserve alignment.

Other protocols address different emergencies—submersion injuries, hemorrhage, or head injuries—and none focus on limiting spinal movement as the central objective.