Head, Neck, and Back Injuries

In the event of spinal cord injury, minimize the movement of the patient as you ask them questions.

If the patient is unconscious, not breathing, or showing signs of a concussion, call 911.

• Introduce yourself to the patient, and tell them not to move.
• Check for blood in the ears, nose, and mouth. Also check the pupils and see if they respond appropriately to light.
• Ask them open-ended questions to get an idea about the injury.   * Also ask them questions about the day or the year to check for mental state.     * If these questions are wrong, this could indicate an altered mental state. This is an emergency and warrants a 911 call.   * If the patient is showing signs of shock, cover them with a blanket or a sheet and call for emergency services.

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