8 Head Neck And Spinal Injuries

Question 1

Suspect a head, neck or spinal injury in the following 5 situations.

Answer 1

A fall from a height greater than the person’s height.
A diving injury.
A person found unresponsive for unknown reasons.
A strong blow to the lower jaw, head or torso.
Struck by lightning or electrocuted.

Question 2

What may also be present in a suspected head, neck or spinal injury?

Answer 2

Injury to the pelvis.

Question 3

The main rule for a suspected pelvic injury is…

Answer 3

Do not put pressure on the pelvis. Treat as a head, neck or spinal injury.

Question 4

What are the physical signs of head neck and spinal injuries

Answer 4

severe pain or pressure in the head neck or back. Usual bumps or depressions. Bruises especially around the eyes in between the ears. Seizures.
Impaired breathing or vision. Nausea or vomiting. Unequal pupil size. Partial or complete loss of movement of any body part. Loss or bladder or bowel control.

Question 5

What are the mental signs of head neck and spinal injuries.

Answer 5

Changes in level of responsiveness awareness and behavior. Weakness tingling or loss of sensation. Dizziness or loss of balance.

Question 6

Initial care for head neck and spine injuries

Answer 6

keep the person still move only if in danger or life-threatening

Question 7

If the person is unable to support their own head do what?

Answer 7

Manually support it in the position found

Question 8

If struggling to breathe do what?.

Answer 8

Stretch the neck gently by pulling the head away.

Question 9

Ensure the neck is aligned with what?.

Answer 9

The body.

Question 10

How do you remove a helmet?

Answer 10

Push sides away and possibly rotate over nose.

Have someone support jaw and back of head. Support head in position found.

Question 11

Concussion is also known as:

Answer 11

Traumatic Brain Injury TBI

Question 12

Mental signs of concussion are.

Answer 12

Drowsiness. Cloudy and/or foggy mindset. Same stand or days. Temporary memory loss. Slowed reaction times.

Question 13

Physical signs of a concussion are.

Answer 13

Neck pain or headache. Loss of responsiveness. Dizziness or loss of balance. Changes to vision. Sleeping more or less. Nausea or vomiting. Sensitivity to light or noise. Seizure.

Question 14

Emotional signs of a concussion.

Answer 14

Irritability. Heightened emotions. Personality changes.

Question 15

Signs of a concussion in children and babies.

Answer 15

Changes in playing sleeping or eating habits. Excessive crying. Lack of interest in activities or toys.

Question 16

Concussion signs requiring immediate medical attention.

Answer 16

Repeated or projectile vomiting. Loss of responsibilities for any direction. Lack of physical coordination. Confusion and disorientation or memory loss. Changes to normal speech. Seizures. Vision an ocular changes. Persistent dizziness or loss of balance. Weakness or tingling in her arms her legs. Severe or increasing headache.

Question 17

2 main concussion care concepts:

Answer 17

Stop and monitor, wake every 2-3 hours.

If unresponsive seek immediate medical attention.

Question 18

Moving a person with a head neck or spinal injury principles.

Answer 18

Improvised head and spine management options.

Tarp lift.

Question 19

Move head neck or spine injury to the side if

Answer 19

ABCs are affected unable to assess ABC’s prevent hypothermia person is vomiting

Question 20

Common ways to support the head:

Answer 20

Rolled towels, clothing, boots, sleeping pads, splints.

Question 21

Before and after moving an SCI:

Answer 21

Check temperature and skin colour below injury.
Squeeze nails for colour return time.
Ask about sensation.
Ask to wiggle fingers and toes.

Question 22

Describe the tarp lift:

Answer 22

Roll tarp to half width.
Roll person on side, -lace rolled edge against the back. 
Roll them onto tarp.
Improvise handle on tarp edges rolled. 
Lift as a unit keeping taut.

Question 23

When in doubt about an SCI do what?

Answer 23

Treat as such

Question 24

Spinal motion restriction steps (3).

Answer 24

High risk factor -yes
Safe to assess range of motion- yes
Able to actively rotate head,- no.

Question 25

What are the high risk factors of SCI?

Answer 25

Over 65 years
Paralysis or paresthesia in extremities.
Dangerous mechanism of injury MOI.

Question 26

When is it safe to assess an SCI range of motion.

Answer 26

MOI simple rear end motor vehicle collision
position sitting.
Ambulatory at any point post injury.
Deferred onset of neck pain post injury.
No midline neck tenderness.