New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of using a long spine board for patient movement?

1. To provide comfort to the patient

2. To keep the patient warm

3. To immobilize and stabilize the spine

4. To enable quick transport

The correct answer is: To immobilize and stabilize the spine

The primary purpose of using a long spine board is to immobilize and stabilize the spine. This is crucial in situations where a patient may have sustained a spinal injury, as improper movement can exacerbate any potential damage to the spinal cord or vertebrae. The long spine board is designed to hold the patient in a flat and stable position, preventing movement that could lead to further injury. In emergency medical care, maintaining spinal alignment is vital for ensuring the patient's safety during transport. By restricting the patient's movement, the board helps reduce the risk of additional trauma while facilitating the safe transfer of the patient to a medical facility. This approach is standard practice for handling suspected spinal injuries and highlights the importance of stabilization in emergency care scenarios. While providing comfort, keeping the patient warm, and enabling quick transport are important considerations in patient care, they are secondary to the primary goal of spinal immobilization in cases where a spinal injury is suspected.