When immobilizing an infant or child to a long spine board, where should you pad to establish a neutral position?

The correct choice indicates that padding should be applied from the shoulders to the toes when immobilizing an infant or child to a long spine board to establish a neutral position. This approach ensures that the child’s spine is properly aligned in a straight position, and padding in this region helps prevent movement that could compromise the child’s safety during transport.

Padding from the shoulders to the toes provides necessary support to maintain the natural curvature of the spine while securing the head and torso. This ensures that the head remains stable and aligned with the body, minimizing the risk of additional injury or discomfort during the rescue operation.

Other options do not provide the same level of support for spinal alignment. Padding only from the head to the knees or the waist to the toes would leave critical areas of the body unprotected, potentially allowing for movement at the joints that could lead to complications during transport. Similarly, padding from the heel to the hip would fail to adequately secure the entire spine and keep it in a neutral position. Therefore, the focus on padding from the shoulders to the toes is crucial for effective immobilization and ensuring the child's safety.