How should you manage a suspected spinal injury at the scene?

Stabilizing the head and neck while avoiding unnecessary movement is a crucial step in managing a suspected spinal injury. This approach minimizes the risk of further injury to the spinal cord and surrounding neural structures, which can lead to permanent disability or compromise respiratory function. By effectively stabilizing the cervical spine, emergency responders can help prevent secondary injury while assessing the patient's condition and preparing for transport.

Other options, such as encouraging the patient to move or providing immediate transport without stabilizing the spine, could exacerbate the spinal injury, leading to greater harm. Offering pain relief and monitoring vital signs are important but should be secondary to ensuring the patient's spine is stabilized first to prevent any immediate risks associated with an unstable spine. Therefore, the best practice in this scenario is to prioritize the stabilization of the head and neck.