You are called for a young man who was diving head first off a dock into a lake.Bystanders say he struck his head on the bottom because the water was too shallow.They said he was not breathing when they pulled him from the water and they have been performing rescue breathing for him.He is awake,but he is unable to breathe on his own.What type of damage or injury does this indicate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the patient is awake but unable to breathe on his own suggests damage to the spinal cord or nerves of the cervical spine, specifically at the levels of C-3, C-4, or C-5, which control the muscles of respiration.

You Are Called for a Young Man Who Was Diving