First Aid Head, Neck, and Spine Injuries 3

Question 1

Which region of the spine is most commonly injured in motor vehicle accidents?

Accepted Answer

Cervical (neck)

Answer

The cervical spine is most vulnerable in car accidents because whiplash forces cause violent flexion-extension of the neck.

Question 2

A conscious car accident victim is complaining of neck pain and tingling in their arms. You should:

Accepted Answer

Stabilize the head and neck manually and call 911

Answer

Neck pain and neurological symptoms (tingling) after trauma indicate a possible cervical spine injury; manual stabilization and EMS activation are the correct response.

Question 3

What does the acronym 'AVPU' assess in a head-injured patient?

Accepted Answer

Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive — level of consciousness

Answer

AVPU is a rapid neurological scale: Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, or Unresponsive — used to quickly categorize a patient's level of consciousness.

Question 4

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess what in a head injury patient?

Accepted Answer

Level of consciousness via eye, verbal, and motor responses

Answer

The GCS scores three responses — eye opening, verbal response, and motor response — to quantify a patient's level of consciousness.

Question 5

What best describes 'second impact syndrome'?

Accepted Answer

A second concussion before the first has healed, causing rapid and severe brain swelling

Answer

Second impact syndrome occurs when a second concussion is sustained before the brain recovers from the first, potentially causing catastrophic and fatal cerebral edema.

First Aid Practice Test

First Aid Practice Test

First Aid Head, Neck, and Spine Injuries 3