What is the procedure for managing a patient with a suspected spinal injury?

In managing a patient with a suspected spinal injury, the priority is to ensure the spine is stabilized and immobilized before any movement takes place. This is crucial because any unnecessary movement can exacerbate the injury, potentially leading to paralysis or further damage to the spinal cord. The correct procedure involves using appropriate immobilization techniques such as a cervical collar and backboard, which help maintain the alignment of the spine and prevent additional injury during transport.

While monitoring vital signs is essential in assessing the overall condition of the patient and administering pain relief may be necessary to manage discomfort, these actions should be secondary to ensuring the patient's spine is stabilized first. Moving a patient directly to a stretcher without proper immobilization jeopardizes their safety and could worsen their condition if a spinal injury is present. Therefore, the best course of action in this scenario focuses on carefully immobilizing the spine to protect the patient’s health and prevent further injury during transport.