What is the first step in managing a patient with a suspected spinal injury?

When managing a patient with a suspected spinal injury, the first critical step is to stabilize the spine. This is essential because movement can further aggravate the injury, potentially leading to paralysis or worsening neurological deficits. Stabilizing the spine involves keeping the patient as still as possible and providing support to prevent any unnecessary movement. This can include placing the patient on a flat surface and securing their head, neck, and back to minimize motion.

While calling for emergency assistance, administering oxygen, and checking for responsiveness are also important components of patient management, they are secondary to ensuring spinal stability in cases of suspected spinal injury. Prioritizing spinal stabilization helps to protect the cervical and thoracic vertebrae from additional trauma during the assessment and any subsequent interventions.