Which statement best describes precautions for a patient with spinal cord injury during transfers?

• A. Protective positioning or restraints will be required when the patient is side-lying
• B. No precautions needed
• C. Avoid trunk contact at all times
• D. Move quickly without support

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is protecting the spine during transfers in a patient with spinal cord injury. Any movement during a transfer can cause the spine to bend, twist, or shear, potentially worsening injury. To prevent this, clinicians use protective positioning to keep the spine in a neutral, stable alignment and to limit movements that could harm the cord. When the patient is side-lying, that protective alignment becomes especially important, so positioning devices or restraints may be used to maintain stability and prevent unwanted rotation or flexion as the body is moved. This careful, controlled approach reduces the risk of secondary injury during the transfer.

No precautions would leave the spine vulnerable to further injury, which is not appropriate for SCI. Trunk contact is often necessary to stabilize and guide the movement, not avoided entirely. Moving quickly without support can cause abrupt, uncontrolled movements, increasing danger.