What is the procedure for checking for spinal cord damage in an unconscious patient?

Official USCG Answer & Rule Citation

Correct Answer: Option A — Prick the skin of the hands and the soles of the feet with a sharp object to check for reaction

For an unconscious casualty, testing sensory pathways via a sharp stimulus on the hands and soles evaluates neurological integrity below the level of the brainstem, identifying potential spinal cord damage without requiring patient verbal response.

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