Head, Neck, and Spine Injuries Flashcards

Which of the following mechanisms is most likely to cause a cervical spine injury?

Answer: Diving headfirst into shallow water

Diving into shallow water causes sudden forceful impact to the top of the skull, commonly resulting in cervical spine fractures.

What is the correct manual stabilization technique when a spinal injury is suspected?

Answer: Neutral, in-line stabilization of the head and neck

Neutral, in-line stabilization prevents rotation or bending of the cervical spine that could cause or worsen spinal cord damage.

Clear fluid leaking from a person's ear following a head injury most likely indicates what?

Answer: A possible skull fracture

Clear fluid leaking from the ear is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which strongly suggests a basilar skull fracture.

What is 'Battle's sign' in the context of head trauma?

Answer: Bruising behind the ears indicating a skull fracture

Battle's sign is bruising over the mastoid process (behind the ear), which is a delayed indicator of a basilar skull fracture.

If a head-injured person begins vomiting, how should you respond while maintaining spinal precautions?

Answer: Log roll them onto their side as a unit

Log rolling maintains spinal alignment while allowing the airway to clear during vomiting, addressing both the spine and airway simultaneously.

Which sign most strongly suggests increasing intracranial pressure following a head injury?

Answer: One pupil significantly larger than the other

Unequal pupils (anisocoria) following head trauma can indicate brain herniation from dangerously elevated intracranial pressure.

After a motorcycle accident, a bystander removes the rider's helmet. What must you do immediately?

Answer: Manually stabilize the head and neck to replace the helmet's support

Once a helmet is removed, manual cervical stabilization is immediately required because the helmet had been providing structural support to the head and neck.