Question

An athletic trainer is providing services at a downhill skiing competition. A skier falls and hits her head after clearing a jump, and then she skis to the athletic trainer complaining of pain along her cervical spine with numbness in her right upper extremity. In addition, the skier reports nausea and a moderate headache.

What action should the athletic trainer perform FIRST?Choose only one.
a. Assess cranial nerves
b. Evaluate the athlete's cervical range of motion
c.Evaluate the athlete for a concussion
d.Refer the athlete to a physician
e. Stabilize the athlete's cervical spine

Answer 1

An athletic trainer should first stabilize the cervical spine of a skier who fell and hit her head, to prevent further neurological injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

First Response to a Skier with a Head Injury

An athletic trainer at a downhill skiing competition is confronted with a skier who has fallen and hit her head, and is now experiencing pain along her cervical spine with numbness in her right upper extremity, as well as nausea and a moderate headache. The skier's symptoms suggest a potentially serious injury to the nervous system. In such a case, the first action the athletic trainer should perform is e. Stabilize the athlete's cervical spine. This precaution is critical because any movement to an unstable cervical spine could lead to further injury, including paralysis or permanent neurological damage. While other assessments, such as evaluating for a concussion or assessing cranial nerves, are important, they come after ensuring the athlete's cervical spine is secure.

It is important to remember that injuries to the central nervous system can range from mild to severe, and the immediate response can influence the outcome significantly. Prevention and immediate care for athletic injuries, including stabilization, are key roles of an athletic trainer who has studied areas such as biology, chemistry, and physics, aiding in their understanding of the injuries of the nervous system.