PA BLS Protocols

Question 1

Under what conditions should you assess to determine whether restriction of spinal motion is required?

Answer 1

• neck or back pain
• extremeity (upper or lower) weakness or numbness, even if symptoms have resolved
• MOI consistent with possible spinal injury

Question 2

What are 7 MOI’s consistent with possible spinal injury?

Answer 2

1) any fall from standing or sitting with evidence of striking head
2) any fall from a height (above ground level)
3) any MVC
4) any trauma where victim was thrown
5) any lightning or high voltage electrical injury
6) any injury sustained while swimming/diving or near drowning where diving may have been involved
7) any unknown or possible MOI when the history form pt or bystander does not exclude possibility of spinal injury

Question 3

What are 4 exclusionary criteria for restriction of spinal motion?

Answer 3

1) no history or no mechanism of injury that would be consistent with spinal injury
2) penetrating trauma to chest, abdomen, head, neck, or back
3) GSW to head
4) non-traumatic back or neck pain related to movement, position, or heavy lifting

Question 4

What are the 9 priority conditions?

Answer 4

1) unable to open airway
2) poor general impression
3) altered mental status and not following commands
4) difficulty breathing/ inadequate ventilation
5) hypoperfusion (shock)
6) complicated childbirth
7) chest pain with SBP

Question 5

What are the 10 criteria for oxygen administration?

Answer 5

1) shock
2) shortness of breath or respiratory distress
3) inhalation injury/ toxicity
4) suspected or known stroke* or seizure
5) chest pain*
6) suspected or known major trauma
7) acute change in level of consciousness
8) pt whose condition seems serious during initial assessment
9) pts with priority condition
10) pts who normally receive oxygen