First Aid Head, Neck, and Spine Injuries 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary concern when providing first aid to a person suspected of having a spinal injury?
- Controlling bleeding from the head
- Preventing movement of the spine (Correct answer)
- Checking blood pressure
- Administering pain medication
Correct answer: Preventing movement of the spine
Preventing movement of the spine is critical to avoid further damage to the spinal cord, which can cause permanent paralysis.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a typical sign of a serious head injury?
- Confusion or disorientation
- Pupils of unequal size
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased appetite (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Increased appetite
Increased appetite is not associated with head injuries; confusion, unequal pupils, and nausea are all recognized warning signs.
Question 3: A person has fallen from a height and is unconscious. What should you do first?
- Move them to a more comfortable position
- Call 911 and minimize all movement (Correct answer)
- Give them water to drink
- Remove their helmet if they are wearing one
Correct answer: Call 911 and minimize all movement
Calling 911 and minimizing movement are immediate priorities to prevent further spinal cord damage in an unconscious trauma victim.
Question 4: What does the 'log roll' technique help prevent when moving a trauma victim?
- Skin abrasions from the ground
- Spinal cord damage (Correct answer)
- Muscle cramps from lying still
- Blood clot formation
Correct answer: Spinal cord damage
The log roll technique keeps the spine aligned to prevent additional spinal cord damage when repositioning is absolutely necessary.
Question 5: Which of the following is a classic sign of a concussion following a head impact?
- Temporary loss of consciousness or confusion (Correct answer)
- Fever above 103°F
- Bright red bleeding from the ear
- Swelling of the ankles
Correct answer: Temporary loss of consciousness or confusion
Temporary loss of consciousness or confusion is a hallmark sign of a concussion, reflecting a brief disruption of normal brain function.
Question 6: When should an athlete with a suspected concussion be cleared to return to play?
- After resting on the sidelines for 5 minutes
- Once they report feeling back to normal
- Only after formal medical clearance (Correct answer)
- After drinking fluids and performing light stretching
Correct answer: Only after formal medical clearance
Medical clearance is required before returning to play to prevent second-impact syndrome, which can be fatal.
Question 7: What position should a conscious person with a possible spine injury be placed in?
- Recovery position on their side
- Seated upright at a 45-degree angle
- Keep them still in the position they were found (Correct answer)
- Lay them flat face-down on the ground
Correct answer: Keep them still in the position they were found
A conscious person with suspected spinal injury should be kept still in the position found, as unnecessary movement risks worsening the injury.
