Which technique is used to move a patient while maintaining spinal alignment?

Which technique is used to move a patient while maintaining spinal alignment?

• A. Log rolls to move the patient
• B. Twisting the spine while moving
• C. Jerking movements
• D. Slipping the patient across

Answer: (A)

Maintaining spinal alignment while moving a patient is the key idea. The technique that best accomplishes this is log rolling, which moves the patient as a single unit with the spine kept in a straight line. In practice, this means stabilizing the head and neck in line with the torso and coordinating a smooth, coordinated roll with the rest of the body, so the spine is not flexed, extended, or rotated during the transfer. This approach minimizes movement of the spine and helps prevent further injury when a spinal injury is suspected. Other methods like twisting the spine, jerking movements, or slipping the patient across do not preserve alignment and can create rotational, flexion/extension, or shear forces that may worsen injury. The log roll emphasizes controlled, synchronized motion to keep the spine aligned throughout the transfer.

Maintaining spinal alignment while moving a patient is the key idea. The technique that best accomplishes this is log rolling, which moves the patient as a single unit with the spine kept in a straight line. In practice, this means stabilizing the head and neck in line with the torso and coordinating a smooth, coordinated roll with the rest of the body, so the spine is not flexed, extended, or rotated during the transfer. This approach minimizes movement of the spine and helps prevent further injury when a spinal injury is suspected.

Other methods like twisting the spine, jerking movements, or slipping the patient across do not preserve alignment and can create rotational, flexion/extension, or shear forces that may worsen injury. The log roll emphasizes controlled, synchronized motion to keep the spine aligned throughout the transfer.