Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The log roll maneuver is a technique used in trauma care to move a patient while maintaining spinal alignment and minimizing motion. The assertion that this maneuver can worsen cord damage from an unstable spinal injury is accurate because the log roll may cause further movement of the spinal column. In cases of unstable spinal injuries, any movement can have the potential to exacerbate the injury, leading to increased risk of complications such as further neurological damage.

This understanding is critical in trauma situations where the potential for spinal injury is suspected, and the log roll must be performed with great caution. Proper technique and careful coordination among the healthcare team are essential to ensure that spinal motion is minimized, but the inherent risk of worsening the injury remains a concern, particularly when spinal stability cannot be guaranteed.

In contrast, the other options present misleading or incorrect implications about the log roll maneuver's safety and appropriateness in various trauma scenarios. For instance, the log roll does not necessarily cause less spinal motion than other methods and is not advised for patients with unstable pelvic fractures due to the risk of further injury or hemorrhage. Additionally, while the maneuver does not inherently eliminate the risk of life-threatening hemorrhage, care must be taken to evaluate each patient’s condition thoroughly before attempting any movement.