Family Members Report That Their 62-Year-Old Mother Complained of Dizziness

Family members report that their 62-year-old mother complained of dizziness and right leg weakness just before falling down a flight of stairs. Your assessment indicates that she is responsive, but confused and talking with garbled speech. Her breathing is adequate and her radial pulse is strong. Vital signs are: pulse 84, respirations 18, blood pressure 188/110 mmHg, and SpO₂ 96%. There is an open fracture to her right forearm. When instructed to do so, she does not move her right arm. When caring for this patient, you should do which one of the following?

A) Immobilize her on the long spine board, and then place a splint on her right arm prior to lights and sirens transport.
B) Immobilize her to the long board and extricate her to the ambulance for immediate transport.
C) Make sure that a radial pulse is present and splint the right arm prior to moving her to the stretcher.
D) Splint the right arm in the position found and transfer her to the stretcher for immediate transport to the hospital.