Which additional symptoms indicate the potential for spinal injury besides head, neck, or back pain?

Numbness or tingling, along with altered mental status, are significant additional symptoms that can indicate a potential spinal injury. These symptoms suggest that there might be damage to the spinal cord or nerves. Numbness or tingling can occur due to nerve compression or injury, potentially affecting the body's ability to communicate with the brain properly. Altered mental status, which includes confusion or changes in responsiveness, can indicate a more severe injury or trauma affecting the central nervous system. Both symptoms working together increase the suspicion of a spinal injury, making them critical for lifeguards or first responders to recognize for appropriate care and potential immobilization of the victim.

The other options present symptoms that might be related to different medical issues but do not specifically highlight the risk of spinal injuries.