Choose the true statement about initial management of the patient with possible spinal injury:
In patients with suspected cervical spine injury, immobilization with a properly applied rigid cervical collar is not sufficient to protect the patient from further injury.
+Because obtaining adequate views of the spine is necessary for complete examination, the physician rather than the radiologic technician should be available to carefully move the patient's neck in order to optimize the examination.
+Patients walking at the scene of an accident or arriving in the ED under their own power are not at risk for cervical spine or cord injuries.
+The absence of an anal reflex is synonymous with a complete transection of the lumbar cord.
+MAST garments should not be used in patients with a lumbar or low thoracic spinal injury because of the displacement caused by compartment inflation.
No cervical collar completely immobilizes the cervical spine, especially at the level of C1-C2. They are of greater value when used in conjunction with a spinal board, sandbagging, and tape. Patients with a suspected cervical spine injury who are awake and have normal lateral x-rays of the cervical spine or at least no evidence of an unstable injury may be supervised by the physician and position themselves for additional views, but under no circumstance should the physician actively move the patient's neck or force the motion beyond the limits of pain. Ambulation at the trauma scene does not exclude a C-spine injury. Spinal cord integrity includes the presence of the anal reflex. Absence of this reflex implies severe cord injury or transection at any level.