The nurse is caring for a patient after a motor vehicle accident and instructs the patient to avoid turning independently because the spine is unstable

Question

Which explanation should the nurse use to explain the purpose of the safeguards in relation to the patient's injury? a. They prevent a sudden deterioration in vital signs.
b. They keep the neck and spine in straight alignment.
c. They facilitate efficient, comprehensive assessment.
d. They help to maintain straight alignment of the legs.

Answer 1

B
The nurse does not allow the patient to turn to the side unassisted because an unstable spine cannot maintain normal alignment since the integrity of one or more vertebrae is disrupted. If the patient moves, he or she risks exacerbating the spinal cord injury by abnormal movements of vertebral bone fragments. To maintain patient safety, the nurse turns the patient by logrolling and thereby keeps the head, neck, and spine in straight alignment, thus preventing bone fragments from shifting and potentially increasing the damage. Keeping the patient in the supine position is ideal for maintaining hemodynamic stability and facilitating assessments. The primary purpose of logrolling is to maintain alignment of the neck and spine.