INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the following exercises by marking the lettered response that best answers the exercise or best completes the incomplete statement or by writing the answer in the space provided.
After you have completed all the exercises, turn to “Solutions to Exercises” at the end of the page and check your answers. For each exercise answered incorrectly, reread the material referenced with the solution.
1. You should assume the casualty has a spinal injury if the casualty:
a. Has a severe head injury.
b. Has a bruise over the spine and the casualty states that the area is painful.
c. Is unconscious.
d. Has any of the above conditions.
2. A casualty has fallen from a building. He is conscious and states that he cannot move his arms or legs. Your testing indicate that he has no feeling in his limbs. This casualty has probably suffered a spinal injury in the:
a. Sacral/coccygeal area.
b. Lower thoracic area.
c. Cervical area.
d. Lumbar area.
3. You were going to immobilize the casualty’s neck, but no cervical collar is available. What should you do?
a. Do not evacuate the casualty until an approved cervical collar has been applied.
b. Apply an improvised cervical collar before evacuating the casualty.
c. Evacuate the casualty, but apply a cervical collar when one becomes available.
4. Can a casualty with a suspected spinal injury who is lying on his abdomen be moved before you begin applying a splint?
a. Yes, if he is not breathing or his life is in danger.
b. No, never move a casualty with a spinal injury before applying a splint to the casualty’s spine.
5. When is the straddle-slide method of placing a casualty on a long spine board used instead of the log roll method? ___________________________________________________________
6. Which one of the following is the proper procedure for removing a sitting casualty with a suspected spinal injury from a vehicle?
a. Apply a short spine board to the casualty’s head and back; remove the casualty from the vehicle; then place him on a long spine board.
b. Apply a short spine board to the casualty’s head and back; turn the casualty and lay him on a long spine board; then remove him from the vehicle.
c. Remove the casualty from the vehicle; then place him on a combined short and long spine board.
7. While you and a friend are hiking in the woods, you hear a scream. You investigate and find a person who has fallen from a tree. The casualty is conscious, lying on his back, has no significant external bleeding, and may have a cervical spinal injury. What should you do to help keep the casualty’s head and neck immobile while your friend summons medical help?
a. Tell the casualty to keep still.
b. Place padding beneath his neck.
c. Remove the casualty’s boots, fill them with small rocks, and put them around the casualty’s head.
d. All of the above are proper procedures.
8. A casualty has been placed on a long spine board. Should padding be placed between the small of the casualty’s back and the spine board?
a. Yes.
b. No.
SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES, LESSON 2
1. d (paras 2-2a; 2-3b, c, d, e, g)
2. c (para 2-3f)
3. b (paras 2-5b, 2-8b)
4. a (para 2-2c)
5. When the casualty is in a narrow area that does not provide enough space to perform the log roll method. (para 2-7)
6. b (para 2-8)
7. d (paras 2-10a, b, c)
8. a (paras 2-6h, 2-7h)