Assess respiratory function by asking patient to take a deep breath.
Note presence or absence of spontaneous effort and quality of respirations (labored, using accessory muscles).
Note strength or effectiveness of cough.
Administer oxygen by appropriate method (nasal prongs, mask, intubation, ventilator).
Maintain bedrest and immobilization device(s) such as sandbags, traction, halo, hard or soft cervical collars, brace.
Assess for presence of pain. Help patient identify and quantify pain (location, type of pain, intensity on scale of 0–10)
Provide comfort measures (position changes, massage, ROM exercises, warm or cold packs, as indicated).