What is a key indicator that a patient should be immobilized with a c-collar?

Immobilization with a cervical collar is a critical intervention for patients with potential spinal injuries, as it helps to prevent further harm during transport and assessment. A key indicator for the use of a cervical collar is the presence of neck pain paired with an alert patient, as indicated by a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15. This score signifies that the patient is fully conscious and able to respond appropriately, but the neck pain raises the suspicion of a possible cervical spine injury.

In this scenario, while the patient is responsive, the presence of neck pain suggests potential trauma that could compromise spinal integrity. Therefore, applying a cervical collar is essential for stabilizing the cervical spine and protecting the patient while further evaluation is conducted.

Other factors listed, such as profound confusion or a history of spinal fractures, may also indicate a need for caution and further assessment. However, they do not specifically point to the immediate necessity for a cervical collar as directly as neck pain does. Documented allergies would not be relevant to the decision for immobilization with a cervical collar.