A young boy riding an ATV did not see a chain stretched between two poles and hit it with his neck while traveling forward. Subsequently, he was thrown backward from the bike with significant force. He was not wearing a helmet. Emergency Medical Responders are with the patient and are holding manual in-line spinal immobilization as well as administering oxygen. When you are assessing this patient, which of the following signs would indicate the injury that must be addressed and managed first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Difficulty speaking could indicate a potential injury to the patient's airway, which is a higher priority than the other injuries listed. It is important to ensure that the patient's airway is open and not compromised before addressing other injuries.

A Young Boy Riding an ATV Did Not See a Chain