Question

The nurse is caring for a client admitted with spinal cord injury. The nurse minimizes the risk of compounding the injury most effectively by:

A. Keeping the client on a stretcher.
B. Logrolling the client on a firm mattress.
C. Logrolling the client on a soft mattress.
D. Placing the client on a Stryker frame.

Answer 1

The most effective way to minimize further spinal cord injury in a client is by logrolling them on a firm mattress, which keeps the spine neutral and prevents additional damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

Caring for a client with a spinal cord injury requires meticulous attention to prevent exacerbating the injury. The spinal cord, though protected by vertebrae and cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid, is vulnerable to damage. When an injury occurs, the segments below the injury site can be affected, resulting in paralysis. The act of logrolling a client on a firm mattress is the most effective way to minimize further injury as it ensures the spine remains in a neutral, aligned position during movement. A soft mattress would not provide the necessary support and could lead to bending or twisting the spine, potentially worsening the injury. While the Stryker frame is used for spinal injuries, it's more complicated and not necessary for simple repositioning.