Question

The nurse is caring for a client who is brought to the hospital emergency department with a spinal cord injury. The nurse minimizes the risk of compounding the injury by performing which action?

Option 1: Keeping the client on a stretcher
Option 2: Logrolling the client onto a soft mattress
Option 3: Logrolling the client onto a firm mattress
Option 4: Placing the client on a bed that provides spinal immobilization

Answer 1

Option 4: Placing the client on a bed that provides spinal immobilization is the correct action to minimize the risk of compounding the spinal cord injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse minimizes the risk of compounding the spinal cord injury by performing Option 4: Placing the client on a bed that provides spinal immobilization. Spinal immobilization is a technique used to prevent further movement of the spine, which can worsen the injury. It involves using specialized equipment, such as a backboard or cervical collar, to keep the spine stable and aligned.

Keeping the client on a stretcher, as in Option 1, may not provide adequate stability for the spine. Logrolling the client onto a soft mattress, as in Option 2, or a firm mattress, as in Option 3, may also increase the risk of further injury by allowing unwanted movement of the spine.