What is the initial management step for a patient with suspected spinal injury?

The initial management step for a patient with a suspected spinal injury is manual stabilization of the head and neck. This step is crucial because it helps prevent any further movement that could exacerbate the injury or lead to additional damage to the spinal cord. Keeping the head and neck stable ensures that any potential spinal injury is not aggravated during the assessment or transport process.

Immediately stabilizing the spine allows for safer evaluation of the patient's neurological function and overall condition while maintaining the integrity of the spinal cord. This stabilization can be performed by having trained personnel hold the patient's head and neck steady until proper immobilization devices, such as a cervical collar or backboard, can be applied.

In this context, while the other choices may seem relevant, they do not address the immediate need for stabilization, which is the priority to protect the patient's spinal integrity. Immediate transport, for instance, is important but should happen after ensuring the patient’s spine is immobilized. Assessing neurological function is essential but is secondary to maintaining spinal stability. Application of a cervical collar alone is insufficient if the head and neck are not being manually stabilized prior to its application.