Question

If a trauma patient has not had his/her neck cleared how do you turn this patient? How many people are needed?

A) Turn the patient as a single unit with a minimum of three people.
B) Allow the patient to turn independently.
C) Use a sliding board for turning with two people assisting.

Answer 1

A) Turn the patient as a single unit with a minimum of three people.

To turn a trauma patient without a cleared neck injury, use at least three people to turn the patient as a single unit, maintaining neck and spine alignment to prevent further injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a trauma patient has not had his or her neck cleared and needs to be turned, the correct method is to turn the patient as a single unit with assistance. This procedure often requires a minimum of three people to maintain the alignment of the neck and spine to prevent any potential spinal injury. Using a sliding board can be helpful, but the key is to have enough helpers to keep the patient's head, neck, and back aligned while turning.

Additionally, while the original reference to treating someone who is choking offers good first aid advice, this is distinct from the procedure to be used with a trauma patient with a potentially unstable neck injury. In the case of a trauma patient, quick movements or allowing the patient to turn independently without neck support could lead to further injury.