When caring for a patient with head and neck trauma after a motorcycle accident, the emergency department nurse's first action should be to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When there is a risk of spinal cord injury, the nurse's initial action is immobilization of the cervical spine during positioning of the head and neck for airway management. Suctioning, supplemental oxygen administration, and venous access are also necessary after the cervical spine is protected by immobilization.

When Caring for a Patient with Head and Neck Trauma