EMT Lesson Plans

7.06– Special Populations Skills/Scenario Lab Station: Special Backboard Considerations Instructor Guidance

Objectives: Demonstrate spinal immobilization of a patient with spinal kyphosis Demonstrate spinal immobilization of a patient with late stage pregnancy

Setup: You will need your cohort bag, a backboard set, and a Blanket and strap to simulate a kyphoid spine / pregnant uterus. You will also need towels for padding.

Blanket Roll

Deployment: DO NOT LECTURE – your students should be working hands-on within 5 minutes of arriving Deploy your students in one team – one student or the instructor should be patient, the rest rescuers. Strap the blanket roll around the waist of the pregnant patient or around the back of the kyphoid patient (behind the shoulders). Ideally this should be below clothing. Debriefing: Give students feedback on the application of the device after it is complete. Some points to discuss: - Did they pad behind the head of the kyphoid patient? - Can they name some conditions that would cause a kyphoid spine (Osteoporosis, cancers that weaken bones)

- Why do we need to wedge under the right side of the late -stage pregnant patient? (to displace the uterus to the left)

- What happens if you don’t (the vena cava gets compressed and inhibits return of blood to heart, causing hypotension and a pseudo-shock).