What should an EMR do if a patient with a suspected spinal injury begins to vomit?

In the scenario of a patient with a suspected spinal injury who begins to vomit, the appropriate response is to turn them onto their side. This maneuver is essential for protecting the airway by allowing any vomit to drain out of the mouth, thereby reducing the risk of aspiration. Aspiration can lead to severe complications, including choking or further respiratory distress.

Turning the patient onto their side also helps maintain better airway patency and promotes safer breathing while minimizing movement of the spine. For a patient with a suspected spinal injury, it is crucial to minimize any additional trauma, and this lateral positioning is a method to do so while also addressing the immediate concern of vomiting.

Other approaches, while important in specific contexts, are not suitable in this instance. For example, applying manual stabilization focuses on minimizing movement of the spine, which is necessary before turning the patient, but it does not directly address the urgent need to manage the vomiting. Performing abdominal thrusts is inappropriate as it can further injure a patient with suspected spinal injuries and is not concerned with managing the airway effectively. Suctioning might be necessary if there are obstructions in the airway, but immediate suctioning without ensuring proper positioning could lead to complications and is not the best first action in this scenario.