An emergency room nurse is caring for a patient admitted by ambulance after a motor vehicle collision. The patient was transported with a long spine board and rigid cervical collar. Thirty minutes after arrival, the patient has been log-rolled off the spine board, completed imaging studies of the spine, and is requesting removal of the cervical collar. Which is the nurse’s next action?

Question

An emergency room nurse is caring for a patient admitted by ambulance after a motor vehicle collision. The patient was transported with a long spine board and rigid cervical collar. Thirty minutes after arrival, the patient has been log-rolled off the spine board, completed imaging studies of the spine, and is requesting removal of the cervical collar. Which is the nurse&rsquo;s next action?

Accepted Answer

Educate the patient on the need for spinal precautions . The nurse should educate the patient on the importance of keeping the collar in place until the patient has been cleared by the medical provider. Placing a pillow under the patient&rsquo;s head flexes the neck and compromises the required neutral position of the cervical spine. Changing the collar to a less rigid device must also only be completed as ordered by the provider. Allowing the patient to move freely while adjusting or changing the collar compromises spinal neutrality. If the collar needs to be adjusted or replaced due to soiling, one person must maintain manual control of the cervical spine while another person makes the necessary change.

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