OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Spinal and Pelvic Immobilization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which halo vest component adjustment is performed first when applying the device to a patient with a cervical fracture?
- Tighten the vest straps
- Place and secure the halo ring (Correct answer)
- Attach the upright posts
- Pad the vest liner
Correct answer: Place and secure the halo ring
The halo ring is placed and secured with skull pins before attaching the uprights or vest components.
Question 2: A patient in a TLSO brace reports pressure sores over the iliac crests. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
- Discontinue the brace immediately
- Adjust or pad the brace at the pressure points (Correct answer)
- Switch to a soft lumbar corset
- Apply topical antibiotic only
Correct answer: Adjust or pad the brace at the pressure points
Adjusting or adding padding at pressure points addresses the cause while maintaining spinal immobilization.
Question 3: Which angle defines proper cervical neutral alignment when sizing a rigid cervical collar?
- 10° flexion
- 10° extension
- 0° with chin slightly tucked (Correct answer)
- 5° lateral tilt
Correct answer: 0° with chin slightly tucked
Neutral alignment with a slight chin tuck maintains the cervical spine in its optimal protected position.
Question 4: The Minerva body jacket differs from the halo vest primarily because it:
- Uses skull pins for fixation
- Encases the head and chin without skull pins (Correct answer)
- Is indicated only for lumbar injuries
- Provides no rigid anterior support
Correct answer: Encases the head and chin without skull pins
The Minerva jacket encases the occiput and chin using a molded shell, avoiding invasive skull pin fixation.
Question 5: When applying a sacroiliac (SI) belt for pelvic ring instability, at what anatomical level should the belt be centered?
- At the level of the iliac crests
- Just above the greater trochanters (Correct answer)
- At the level of the ASIS
- At the umbilicus
Correct answer: Just above the greater trochanters
Centering the SI belt just above the greater trochanters compresses the posterior pelvic ring effectively.
Question 6: Which parameter is most critical when performing a log-roll maneuver on a patient with a suspected unstable thoracic spine injury?
- Rolling speed
- Maintaining spinal alignment throughout the roll (Correct answer)
- Number of personnel assisting
- Patient's pain level
Correct answer: Maintaining spinal alignment throughout the roll
Maintaining axial alignment prevents rotational or translational forces that could worsen a thoracic spinal injury.
Question 7: A patient with an L4-L5 spondylolisthesis is prescribed a lumbosacral orthosis (LSO). Which motion does the LSO most effectively restrict?
- Lateral trunk flexion
- Axial rotation
- Lumbar flexion and extension (Correct answer)
- Hip abduction
Correct answer: Lumbar flexion and extension
LSOs are most effective at limiting sagittal plane motion (flexion and extension) at the lumbosacral junction.
OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Spinal and Pelvic Immobilization 2
Which halo vest component adjustment is performed first when applying the device to a patient with a cervical fracture?