Which of the following is a technique used to safely move a patient with a suspected spinal injury, ensuring the spine remains aligned throughout the process?

1. A

   Chin lift maneuver with a stretcher

2. B

   Modified Valsalva with a stretcher

3. C

   Log rolling with a stretcher

4. D

   Jaw thrust maneuver with a stretcher

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 1 August-2025

Explanation

• Log rolling is the standard, accepted procedure for moving patients with known or suspected spinal injuries.
• The primary goal of this technique is to move the patient's body as a single, rigid unit, similar to a log.
• This action keeps the head, neck, and spine in a straight, neutral alignment, which is critical to prevent secondary injury to the spinal cord.
• As depicted in the image, the procedure requires a coordinated team, with one rescuer designated to maintain manual stabilization of the head and neck throughout the move.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: The chin lift maneuver involves tilting the head back and lifting the chin, which hyperextends the neck. This movement is dangerous and strictly contraindicated in a patient with a suspected spinal injury.
• Option B: The modified Valsalva maneuver is a technique used to treat certain types of rapid heart rhythms (supraventricular tachycardia) by stimulating the vagus nerve. It has no application in moving a trauma patient.
• Option D: The jaw thrust maneuver is a technique to open a patient's airway. While it is the preferred method for airway management in a patient with a suspected spinal injury (because it avoids neck movement), its purpose is not to move the patient's body.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Safe patient handling and transfer techniques for suspected spinal cord injury to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
• Improper handling of a patient with a potential spinal injury can convert a stable fracture into an unstable one, potentially causing permanent paralysis or death.
• The nurse positioned at the patient's head acts as the leader during a log roll. This nurse is responsible for giving clear, concise commands to the team to ensure the turn is smooth and synchronized.
• What if? If an adequate number of personnel (at least 3-4) are not available, a log roll should not be attempted. The priority is to stabilize the patient in place, maintain the airway using a jaw thrust if needed, and call for additional help.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the core clinical problem in the question: moving a patient with a 'suspected spinal injury'.
• Next, identify the critical safety requirement: 'ensuring the spine remains aligned'.
• Evaluate each option based on its primary purpose. Ask yourself, 'Is this technique for moving the body or for something else?'
• Differentiate between airway management techniques (chin lift, jaw thrust) and patient movement techniques.
• Eliminate the 'Modified Valsalva' as it is unrelated to trauma or patient movement.
• Recognize that while the jaw thrust is used in spinal injury patients, it's for the airway, not for moving. The chin lift is contraindicated.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Safe patient handling and transfer techniques for suspected spinal cord injury.
• Stem keywords: safely move, patient, suspected spinal injury, spine remains aligned
• Lead-in keywords: Which of the following
• Clinical cues: The phrase 'suspected spinal injury' is the most critical cue, as it dictates specific handling precautions.
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QmhnXAh-WFGOdmKGxFK9Ux

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 334-336

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 4 p. 166-168