Which of the following is crucial when treating a spinal injury?

Minimizing movement is crucial when treating a spinal injury because spinal injuries pose a high risk of causing further damage to the spinal cord. Movement can exacerbate the injury due to the potential for vertebrae to shift or for fragments to press against the spinal cord, resulting in permanent neurological deficits or paralysis. By keeping the patient stable and immobilizing the spine, medical responders aim to prevent exacerbating the injury, thus safeguarding the patient's neurological function and overall outcome.

The other options, while important in different contexts, do not address the immediate critical need associated with spinal injuries. For example, although an AED is vital in cases of cardiac arrest, it is not pertinent to spinal injury treatment. Giving fluids can be important for general trauma care, but it is not the primary concern in the immediate management of a spinal injury. Assessing for other injuries is also important in a complete trauma assessment, but it should not compromise the immobilization and protection of the spine.