In approaching a patient with suspected neck injury, which action is inappropriate?

• A. Stand behind him and immediately stabilize his head.
• B. Assess his mental status by having him move his head.
• C. Ensure that the patient can see you approaching him.
• D. Approach him from behind and ask him not to move.

Answer: (D)

When a neck injury is suspected, the priority is to prevent any movement of the cervical spine while you communicate with and assess the patient. You want to maintain in-line stabilization and be able to see the patient to check responsiveness, breathing, and airway, and to give clear instructions.

Approaching from behind and telling the patient not to move is inappropriate because you can’t see the face, you can’t easily communicate, and you can’t reliably assess or ensure his neck remains immobilized. This position also makes it harder to observe signs of distress or changes in condition and to monitor airway access.

In contrast, keeping the head stabilized, assessing mental status by speaking with the patient rather than asking him to move his head, and ensuring the patient can see you approaching are appropriate steps. These approaches support immobilization, clear communication, and safe assessment.