Deck 6: Emergency Care of Cervical Spine Injuries

Question 1

Which of the following are preventive measures that have been taken in order to reduce spinal cord injuries in sports?

A) Increased education about cervical spine injuries for athletes, coaches, and parents
B) Rule changes
C) Equipment improvements
D) Instruction on proper safe and sports-specific techniques
E) All of the above

Answer 1

E

Question 2

An athlete who is experiencing neurogenic shock will present with which of the following signs and/or symptoms?

A) bradycardia
B) tachycardia
C) hypertension
D) shocklike symptoms below the injury

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Of the 15,000 injuries that cause permanent spinal cord injury, what percentage of them are sports related?

A) 8%
B) 14%
C) 16%
D) 18%

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Spinal cord contusions, spinal cord concussions, and spinal cord compression are considered _________ spinal cord injuries.

A) primary
B) secondary
C) tertiary

Question 5

Central cord syndrome __________.

A) is caused by a disruption of the blood flow to the spinal cord due to compromised arterial supply
B) is the result of a hyperextension injury and is also consistent with preexisting conditions such as arthritis
C) is the result of severing of one side of the spinal cord and spinal cord shock
D) is the result of a hyperflexion injury in the cervical spine

Question 6

Hyperflexion injuries of the cervical spine can result in which of the following?

A) Fractures to the spinous processes
B) Stretching of the anterior vertebral ligament
C) Compression of the interspinous ligaments
D) Compression of the spinal cord

Question 7

An injury that causes the brain to lose the ability to control the body it is called ________.

A) spinal shock
B) neurogenic shock
C) hypovolemic shock
D) transient neurologic shock

Question 8

When discussing spinal cord hemorrhaging, which factor will determine the significance of the damage and the potential for recovery?

A) Amount of hemorrhaging
B) Length of time that pressure is placed on the spinal cord
C) Amount of hemorrhaging and length of time that pressure is placed on the spinal cord
D) Mechanism of injury and the extent of injury

Question 9

Spinal shock ________.

A) is a temporary condition
B) results in the body becoming flaccid and without sensation
C) renders an athlete motionless and paralyzed below a specific level
D) can compromise bladder and bowel function
E) All of the above

Question 10

During an evaluation, at what point should you suspect a cervical spine injury?

A) When the athlete is unconscious
B) If the mechanism of injury is not known
C) When the athlete indicates that there is a loss of sensation in the extremities
D) All of the above

Question 11

Which of the following can result in spinal cord compression injuries?

A) Fractures of the vertebrae
B) Herniation of the intervertebral disc
C) Edema and ischemia as a result of soft tissue damage
D) All of the above

Question 12

If manual stabilization is required and the athlete is unconscious, you should ______.

A) attempt to place the head and neck in line with the body
B) stabilize the head and neck in the position you find the athlete
C) apply slight traction
D) apply slight compression while stabilizing the neck in line with the rest of the body

Question 13

A complete transection of the spinal cord will result in ___________.

A) nerve root function being lost below the level of the transection
B) incontinence and paraplegia if the injury occurs in the cervical region of the spine
C) quadriplegia if the injury occurs below the level of T1
D) All of the above

Question 14

As you approach an athlete who is down on the field of play, what should you be observing?

A) Position of the athlete
B) Presence or absence of movement
C) Reaction of teammates
D) Athlete's level of consciousness
E) All of the above

Question 15

When the spine is axially loaded, forces along the spine result in_________.

A) compression fractures of the vertebrae
B) cervical disc herniation
C) spinal cord compression
D) All of the above

Question 16

Which of the following are classified as primary spinal cord injuries?

A) Compression of spinal cord
B) Stretching of the spinal cord
C) Transection of the spinal cord
D) All of the above

Question 17

When evaluating an athlete who has experienced extremes of right-lateral cervical spine flexion, which of the following might you suspect?

A) Stretching of the ligamentous structures on the left side
B) Stretching of the ligamentous structures on the right side
C) Compression fractures of the vertebrae on the right side
D) A & C
E) B & C

Question 18

Brown-Sequard's syndrome __________.

A) is caused by a disruption of the blood flow to the spinal cord because of compromised arterial supply
B) is the result of a hyperextension injury and is also consistent with preexisting conditions such as arthritis
C) is the result of a penetration injury that severs of one side of the spinal cord resulting in lost sensory and motor function on the affected side
D) is the result of a hyperflexion injury in the cervical spine

Question 19

What is the first thing that you should do if the athlete is unconscious upon your arrival?

A) Activate emergency medical services (EMS).
B) Quickly retrieve a spine board.
C) Begin manual stabilization of the head and neck.
D) Instruct all of the athletes to remove the field of play.

Question 20

In the event of a suspected head and neck injury, after the head and neck have been stabilized, _________.

A) emergency medical services (EMS) should be activated
B) an assessment of the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) should be performed
C) a log roll may be needed if the athlete is supine
D) All of the above

Question 21

When managing someone with a suspected spinal cord injury it is important that in-line stabilization occur. Unfortunately, this may be difficult, depending on the position of the athlete and the extent of the injury. To achieve in-line stabilization you must continually monitor _________.

A) resistance during movements
B) apprehension of the athlete
C) increased pain in the cervical region
D) All of the above

Question 22

Athletes with cervical spine injuries do not always present as suspected. Some athletes who experience cervical spine fractures are able to walk off the field of play and do not exhibit measureable signs of neurological compromise or changing vital signs.

A) True for both sentences
B) False for both sentences
C) False for the first sentence only
D) True for the first sentence only

Question 23

How often should vital signs be reassessed when you have an athlete who has suffered a traumatic cervical spine injury?

A) 3 minutes
B) 5 minutes
C) 6 minutes
D) 10 minutes

Question 24

When assessing motor function, you should _________.

A) perform all tests unilaterally
B) look for resistances to be equal
C) assess grip strength only on the affected side
D) question the athlete about numbness and tingling in the digits

Question 25

Which of the following are indications that an athlete's condition is beginning to deteriorate?

A) Slowing pulse rate
B) Drops in blood pressure while pulse rate remains unchanged
C) Change in level of consciousness
D) All of the above

Question 26

The use of steroids can be a useful adjunct in controlling secondary inflammation associated with spinal cord injury. Steroids are most effective if administered in the first 16 hours postinjury.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) Only the second statement is true.
D) Only the first statement is true.

Question 27

The major goal of managing a suspected cervical spine injury is to maintain a neutral in-line position. Beyond cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), this is the most important action that can be performed in these situations.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) Only the second statement is true.
D) Only the first statement is true.

Question 28

Which of the following should be performed first if an athlete is suspected of having a cervical spine injury?

A) Place the athlete on a spine board.
B) Continue to reassess vital signs.
C) Activate emergency medical services (EMS).
D) Release cervical spine stabilization and continue with the remainder of the evaluation.

Question 29

When log rolling an athlete, who is in control and in charge of all movements?

A) The clinician at the head
B) The clinician at the shoulders on the side of the spine board
C) The clinician in charge of the waist and torso
D) The clinician located at the foot of the patient

Question 30

Which of the following would be appropriate for assessing sensory function?

A) Asking the athlete to squeeze your fingers.
B) Questioning the athlete regarding numbness and tingling in the digits
C) Asking the athlete to distinguish between sharp and dull sensation
D) All of the above
E) B & C