Final answer:
To manage a patient with cerebral herniation on a spinal board, the patient should be secured to the board with the head elevated, helping to manage intracranial pressure. This aligns with understanding that the cerebrospinal fluid provides essential buoyancy to the brain, with normal pressures being 5- to 12-mm Hg.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the patient is presenting with cerebral herniation and is on a spinal board, the appropriate first-aid response would be to secure the patient to the board and elevate the head (Option B). This helps to manage intracranial pressure by promoting venous drainage from the brain, potentially reducing cerebral edema. Administering a sedative (Option A) might be part of medical management in a hospital setting but is not an immediate on-site response. Applying cervical spine traction (Option C) is not recommended without proper medical oversight and can be dangerous. While administering a diuretic (Option D) can reduce cerebral edema, it is a medical intervention that must be done in a clinical setting under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
The normal pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and filling the spinal column is 5- to12-mm Hg. This fluid provides flotation to the brain, nearly equalizing the brain's weight since their densities are nearly equivalent. Loss of this fluid can cause serious issues, indicating that careful management of spinal and cranial pressures is crucial in medical emergencies such as cerebral herniation.