When should you suspect a spinal injury?

Suspect a spinal injury after falls from a height, diving into shallow water, high-impact incidents, or any significant head or neck trauma — especially if the person is unresponsive after such an event.

What is manual in-line stabilization?

It is a technique to minimize movement of the head, neck, and spine by gently holding the head in line with the body, reducing the risk of further injury to the spinal cord while care continues.

Does spinal care ever come before the airway?

No. Airway and breathing always take priority. If they are life-threatened, opening the airway comes first, while still limiting spinal movement as much as possible.

Head, Neck & Spinal Injury Practice Questions

Suspected spinal injuries demand careful handling. This part of the exam covers recognizing a possible head, neck, or spinal injury and minimizing movement to prevent further harm.

Topics include the causes and signs of spinal injury, manual in-line stabilization, in-water techniques such as the head-splint, and backboarding a victim with a team.

What this part of the exam covers

Causes that suggest a spinal injury (falls, shallow-water diving, high impact)
Signs and symptoms of a possible spinal injury
Manual in-line stabilization to minimize head and neck movement
In-water spinal techniques such as the head-splint
Backboarding and keeping the airway open while limiting movement

Practice questions

1. Which symptom is a possible sign of a spinal injury?

Tingling or numbness in the hands — Correct answer
A sore throat
Sneezing
Itching on the arm

Why

Tingling or numbness can mean the spinal cord or nerves are involved. Itching, sneezing, and a sore throat are not typical signs of a spinal injury.

2. Which statement is correct when caring for a suspected spinal injury?

Only minor injuries need airway care
Spinal precautions always come before breathing
Breathing problems should be ignored until the person is out of the water
If the person cannot breathe, airway and breathing care take priority over spinal precautions — Correct answer

Why

Breathing problems can become life-threatening very quickly. If the person cannot breathe, give airway and breathing care first, even when spinal precautions are needed.

3. When backboarding a person with a suspected spinal injury, what is the safest approach?

Use a team and minimize movement before removal — Correct answer
Wait until the person can walk out
Let the person sit up first
Remove the person by pulling on one arm

Why

In suspected spinal injury care, the goal is to minimize movement and remove the person only when needed. A team approach helps control the person and limit spinal movement during removal.

4. A person with a suspected spinal injury is not breathing. What should you do?

Do not help until the spine is completely immobilized
Open the airway and start care for breathing first — Correct answer
Only watch the person and wait
Move the person as little as possible and ignore breathing

Why

Airway and breathing come first when they are life-threatening. Do not delay needed breathing care just to avoid spinal movement.

5. A person has a head injury after a high-impact collision. What should you consider?

A stomach problem
Possible spinal injury — Correct answer
A hearing problem
Only a minor skin injury

Why

High-impact incidents can injure the head, neck, and spine. A head injury after that kind of event should raise concern for a spinal injury.

6. What is the purpose of an in-water head-splint technique?

To drain water from the lungs
To lift the person out by the arms
To test leg strength
To keep the airway open while limiting movement — Correct answer

Why

An in-water head-splint helps protect the airway while reducing movement of the head and neck. It is not used to test the person or force water out of the lungs.

7. A person is confused, has neck pain, and cannot move one arm well after a dive. What should you suspect?

Possible spinal injury — Correct answer
A sinus infection
A minor cramp only
A stomach problem

Why

Neck pain, weakness, and confusion after a dive are warning signs of a possible spinal injury. Treat this as serious.

8. When you are holding a person's head and neck for suspected spinal injury, what is the best general aim?

Turn the head sharply to one side
Lift the chin high and move the head around
Keep the head as still as possible in a neutral position if you can do so safely — Correct answer
Flex the neck forward

Why

The goal is to minimize movement and keep the head and neck still. Keep the head in a neutral position if you can do so safely. Sharp turning, bending, or lifting can increase the risk of more spinal damage.

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Frequently asked questions

When should you suspect a spinal injury?: Suspect a spinal injury after falls from a height, diving into shallow water, high-impact incidents, or any significant head or neck trauma — especially if the person is unresponsive after such an event.
What is manual in-line stabilization?: It is a technique to minimize movement of the head, neck, and spine by gently holding the head in line with the body, reducing the risk of further injury to the spinal cord while care continues.
Does spinal care ever come before the airway?: No. Airway and breathing always take priority. If they are life-threatened, opening the airway comes first, while still limiting spinal movement as much as possible.