HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES
d. Can you wiggle your toes?
Assuming that we have a person, who fell, and we are
we don’t know the circumstances as to how this
person fell
but just that this person is lying down somewhere
near a flight of stairs and that he/she is in pain
1. Minimize the movement of the patient and
inquire about what had happened
a. This will help us assess the situation,
and to call an ambulance if needed.
2. As you do this, introduce yourself and begin
verbal assessment.
a. I am___, and I have been trained
b. I need you to stay still and verbally
answer my questions instead of
nodding or moving
c. Just in case you have any broken
bones or injuries
3. Check head, nose, ears and mouth for
bleeding
4. Check if pupils are equal and responsive to
light
a. If pupils do not react this could
indicate a concussion or swelling of
the brain which requires an
immediate call for an ambulance.
5. Check if patient is breathing, awake, and has a
heart rate.
a. Since patient is able to talk, there is
no immediate reason to call an
ambulance
6. Strat asking questions about the incident
a. Do you remember what happened?
b. Do you know if you hit your head?
c. Do you know what day it is today?
d. Do you know what year it is?
i. If the patient is unable to recall
questions properly this will
indicate that the patient may hit
his/her head altering mental status
ii. If this happens call someone from
the bystanders, instruct them to
call an ambulance, and get back
because you might need
assistance, and if possible also ask
for an AED.
7. Continue asking open ended questions
a. Can you tell me where it hurts right
now?
b. Doe sit hurt so much that your unable
to move?
c. Can you wiggle your fingers then?
8. If patient is able to move then he/she is not
experiencing paralysis
9. If a patient is experiencing paralysis this could
lead to spinal shock, which make the patient
a. Pale
b. Cool
c. Sweaty
d. Go unresponsive
10. Then we need to cover the patient with a
sheet quarter blanket and assess for airway,
breathing, and circulation problems.
11. If the patient shows signs of r cardiac arrest
treat the patient accordingly and wait for the
EMS to arrive.
HOW TO PERFORM THE BELL’S PALSY EXERCISE BE
CONDUCTED
Today I’m going to perform Bell Palsy exercises and
demonstrate them to a patient diagnosed with Bell’s
Palsy
1. Eye brown raises
a. Raise both eyebrows
b. Place a finger on top of the
affected eyebrow to help it rise.
c. Repeat 10 times
2. Bring eyebrows together
a. As if you’re making an angry face
b. Use your finger to assist with
moving the weak brow
c. Repeat this 10 times
3. Flare the nose
a. Use a finger to help bring the
nose out on the affected side
b. Repeat 10 times
4. Smiling
a. Smile and use a finger to support
the affected side to make a smile
b. place it at the corner of your lips
c. repeat 10 times
5. Eventually instead of just doing it 10
times, you’ll need to hold every position
for at least 3 seconds.
6. Note: If you’re doing this alone, perform
these exercises in front of a mirror ot
know if you are able to support the
weakened area properly.