Your Patient Is the 40-Year-Old Male Driver of a Vehicle

Your patient is the 40-year-old male driver of a vehicle that was struck in the driver's-side door by another vehicle at an intersection. The estimated speed of the vehicle that struck the patient's car is 30 miles per hour. The patient was restrained, but his vehicle lacks side-impact airbags. On your arrival, he is awake and complaining of head pain. He has a 4 cm laceration to the left posterior parietal area of the head. There was moderate bleeding before your arrival, but the bleeding is now minor. Witnesses state that there was no loss of consciousness, but immediately following the collision, the patient seemed confused and did not immediately understand that witnesses wanted him to unlock his door and use his cell phone to call for help. The patient's skin is warm and dry, his respirations are 16, and the radial pulse is strong at 88 per minute. Which of the following most accurately describes how to best remove the patient from the vehicle?

A) Place a cervical collar, maintain manual stabilization of the cervical spine, place a vest-type extrication device, and remove the patient onto a long backboard.
B) Place a cervical collar, assist the patient in standing up, and then use a "standing take-down" to place him on a long backboard.
C) Place a cervical collar, place a long backboard on the stretcher, and position it next to the driver's door. Instruct the patient to slide onto the board as you maintain manual stabilization of the cervical spine.
D) Place a cervical collar, maintain manual stabilization of the cervical spine, and have the patient take several rest breaks, then move onto a long backboard.