Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Using a backboard on a trauma patient is appropriate primarily when there is a suspicion of spinal injury. This practice is vital for maintaining spinal immobilization, which helps prevent further injury to the spinal cord during transport. When a spinal injury is suspected, immobilizing the spine is crucial to minimizing movement that could exacerbate potential damage.

While unconsciousness, multiple fractures, or severe abdominal trauma may be considerations for the overall management and assessment of a patient’s condition, they do not specifically warrant the exclusive use of a backboard. For instance, a patient may be unconscious for reasons unrelated to spinal injury, or they might have fractures that do not imply a risk of spinal compromise. Similarly, with severe abdominal trauma, the focus would typically be more on stabilizing the airway, breathing, and circulation rather than specifically on spinal precautions unless a spinal injury is also suspected. Thus, the need for spinal immobilization is the primary reason for employing a backboard in trauma assessment and treatment.