Which of the following is a positive indication for spinal motion restriction?

• A. Skull fracture or depression
• B. High blood pressure
• C. Nausea
• D. Headache

Answer: (D)

After a traumatic event, immobilizing the spine is used whenever there is any sign that could indicate a cervical spine injury, because movement could convert a treatable injury into a disabled one. A headache in the context of trauma can signal underlying head or neck involvement and raises concern that the cervical spine may be injured. Protecting the neck with spinal motion restriction helps prevent further injury while the patient is transported and evaluated.

The other signs listed don’t point as clearly to spinal injury on their own. High blood pressure, nausea, or skull fracture/depression are not specific indicators that the cervical spine has been damaged, so they aren’t used alone to justify immobilization in the absence of other spine-focused findings.