Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

In the scenario of a suspected spinal cord injury in a child, the priority is to stabilize the head and neck. This is crucial because any movement of the head or neck can exacerbate the injury and potentially lead to increased neurological damage. By stabilizing these areas, healthcare providers can prevent further injury while assessing the child's condition and determining the next steps in management.

Stabilization typically involves manually holding the head and neck in a neutral position, and it may require the application of additional equipment like a cervical collar, depending on the severity of the situation and available resources. This initial step is foundational in emergency practice, as it safeguards the spinal cord and related structures.

While pain relief, physical examinations, and initiating CPR are important components of pediatric emergency care, they would follow stabilization of the spinal cord injury. Administering pain relief may not be appropriate until the stability of the injury is confirmed, and a full physical examination can be conducted without jeopardizing the child’s safety if the spine is not stabilized first. Furthermore, initiating CPR is only relevant if the child is not breathing or has no pulse, making it a situational priority rather than the very first action in the context of a spinal injury.