What is your choice?

[Nrsstudent09]

We had a question on a test today that was something like.. EMS brings in a patient with a spinal injury at C5. What would the nurses first priority be?We are between check GCS or check the airway. What would your opinions be?

[pinkiepie_RN]

My brain would go with ABCs first, so I'd select "check airway". If they don't have an airway, then it doesn't really matter what their GCS is because you gotta get them breathing first. :)

[aflanning]

I'm all about the ABC's too so I'm saying AIRWAY!!!!

[RN2BE1210]

I'd say airway also...I know that's usually always the first priority ABC lol

[Nrsstudent09]

ok because all 104 of us put that...and our instructor says that it is GCS.

[RhodyGirl, RN]

ok because all 104 of us put that...and our instructor says that it is GCS.

That's odd. I would have chosen airway as well. Did you speak with your instructor yet?

[athena55, BSN, RN]

Well.....if the GCS was 8 or less you would intubate....

BUT like all of you I would have chosen The Airway!

Has your instructor given her rationale yet? And if she/he did please let us know.

athena

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I don't start NS until August, but from reading on these boards I have instilled in my brain already the ABC so I would instinctively say airway as well, what is GBC?

[Nursey103, ADN, RN]

That is the one thing that is DRILLED into our heads in school.....ABC's.....so I'd say check airway and if you did do the GCS and you find there is a need to intubate....you would come to the same conclusion as if you checked the airway first right?!?

[SolaireSolstice, BSN, RN]

I don't start NS until August, but from reading on these boards I have instilled in my brain already the ABC so I would instinctively say airway as well, what is GBC?

GCS = Glasgow coma scale, measures neurological level of conciousness

[missjennmb]

I would not have said airway because your airway is affected through C3 and possibly C4 and you said the question said C5.

• C3 vertebrae and above : Typically lose diaphragm function and require a ventilator to breathe.
  
• C4 : May have some use of biceps and shoulders, but weaker
  
• C5 : May retain the use of shoulders and biceps, but not of the wrists or hands.
  
• C6 : Generally retain some wrist control, but no hand function.
  
• C7 and T1 : Can usually straighten their arms but still may have dexterity problems with the hand and fingers. C7 is generally the level for functional independence.
  

Hope that helps. We had a very similar question on a recent test too. They're all so tricky.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I would not have said airway because your airway is affected through C3 and possibly C4 and you said the question said C5.

• C3 vertebrae and above : Typically lose diaphragm function and require a ventilator to breathe.
  
• C4 : May have some use of biceps and shoulders, but weaker
  
• C5 : May retain the use of shoulders and biceps, but not of the wrists or hands.
  
• C6 : Generally retain some wrist control, but no hand function.
  
• C7 and T1 : Can usually straighten their arms but still may have dexterity problems with the hand and fingers. C7 is generally the level for functional independence.
  

Hope that helps. We had a very similar question on a recent test too. They're all so tricky.

while i understand your point, which is something i had thought of as well, that the injury was too low to DIRECTLY impact breathing.....there is no mention of HEAD trauma.....why would we be checking the GCS?