TNCC Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Guide for Trauma Nurse Core Course Prep

A crucial consideration during the transport of trauma patients is minimizing movement of the spine to avoid further injury. This principle is fundamental in trauma care as spinal injuries can lead to significant and potentially permanent damage if the spine is improperly mobilized during transport. Ensuring spinal immobilization, typically using a backboard or a cervical collar, helps in stabilizing the patient and reducing the risk of exacerbating any existing spinal cord injuries.

In trauma situations, patients may have sustained injuries hidden from immediate visibility, including fractures or instability in the vertebral column. Therefore, maintaining spinal alignment during transport is essential to protect the patient's neurological function and prevent complications. This focus on spinal motion restriction aligns with the broader goal of trauma care, which is to stabilize the patient and facilitate safe and effective transfer to definitive treatment settings.

Other considerations, while important, do not carry the same immediate criticality in the context of spinal injury risk. For example, maximizing patient comfort and reassurance is significant for overall care but is secondary to ensuring the safety of the spine. Similarly, while administering pain medication and performing a complete physical assessment are beneficial practices, they must not compromise the principle of minimal movement of the spine during transport. Therefore, the priority remains on preventing any additional injury, particularly to the