A patient has arrived by ambulance at the emergency department after a cervical spinal cord injury. Which assessment is a priority for the nurse to perform at this time?

Question

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Following a cervical spinal cord injury, the priority is to assess the patient's respiratory pattern and airway. This is because injuries at the cervical level can impair the diaphragm and other muscles involved in breathing, potentially leading to respiratory failure.

A Patient Has Arrived by Ambulance at the Emergency Department