OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Spinal and Pelvic Immobilization 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In pediatric patients under age 8, how is spinal board positioning modified to achieve neutral cervical alignment?
- No modification needed
- Padding is placed under the thorax to offset the large occiput (Correct answer)
- The head is elevated on a special headrest
- A bolster is placed under the knees
Correct answer: Padding is placed under the thorax to offset the large occiput
Children under 8 have disproportionately large heads, so thoracic padding raises the torso to prevent forced cervical flexion.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a Knight-Taylor orthosis?
- Cervical traction and distraction
- Thoracolumbar flexion and lateral flexion control (Correct answer)
- Sacroiliac joint compression
- Hip spica immobilization
Correct answer: Thoracolumbar flexion and lateral flexion control
The Knight-Taylor brace controls thoracolumbar flexion and lateral flexion through rigid lateral and posterior uprights.
Question 3: Which complication is most specifically associated with prolonged halo vest use in elderly osteoporotic patients?
- Pin site infection
- Dysphagia from collar extension
- Pin loosening due to poor bone density (Correct answer)
- Pressure injury at the sternum
Correct answer: Pin loosening due to poor bone density
Osteoporotic bone cannot resist pin torque adequately, leading to early loosening and loss of fixation.
Question 4: When assessing spinal orthosis fit, the practitioner checks for approximately how many finger-widths of clearance under the abdominal panel?
- 0 — no clearance; snug contact required
- 1-2 finger-widths (Correct answer)
- 3-4 finger-widths
- 5+ finger-widths
Correct answer: 1-2 finger-widths
One to two finger-widths of clearance ensures adequate abdominal support without impeding respiration or causing pressure injury.
Question 5: Which type of pelvic binder placement is associated with increased risk of skin necrosis?
- Placement at the greater trochanters
- Placement at the iliac crests (Correct answer)
- Placement just below the ASIS
- Placement at the symphysis pubis
Correct answer: Placement at the iliac crests
Iliac crest placement concentrates compressive force over bony prominences rather than the soft tissue of the greater trochanter region.
Question 6: A patient with a C5 burst fracture requires which cervical immobilization device if surgical intervention is delayed?
- Soft foam collar
- Philadelphia collar alone
- Halo vest orthosis (Correct answer)
- Cervical pillow
Correct answer: Halo vest orthosis
A halo vest provides the most rigid immobilization for an unstable burst fracture awaiting surgery.
Question 7: The Frankel/ASIA impairment scale is used in spinal injury assessment primarily to document:
- Fracture stability on imaging
- Neurological function and sensory/motor level (Correct answer)
- Brace compliance rates
- Surgical risk stratification
Correct answer: Neurological function and sensory/motor level
The ASIA scale classifies the degree of motor and sensory preservation below the level of injury.
OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Spinal and Pelvic Immobilization 4
In pediatric patients under age 8, how is spinal board positioning modified to achieve neutral cervical alignment?