Spine trauma: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Spine trauma

Sample item

In a patient with possible cervical spine trauma, what is the safest initial priority?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Maintain cervical immobilization while assessing ABCs

Cervical spine precautions should be maintained while airway, breathing, and circulation are assessed because unstable injury can worsen with movement.

Option by option

  • A. Actively rotate the neck to test movement

    Neck rotation can worsen an unstable injury.

  • B. Ask the patient to walk unaided

    Unaided walking is unsafe before clearance.

  • C. Maintain cervical immobilization while assessing ABCs (correct)

    Correct: protect the spine while addressing life threats.

  • D. Give oral analgesia before assessment

    Analgesia is useful but not the initial priority.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Maintain cervical immobilization while assessing ABCs. Cervical spine precautions should be maintained while airway, breathing, and circulation are assessed because unstable injury can worsen with movement.

Why is "Actively rotate the neck to test movement" not the answer?

Neck rotation can worsen an unstable injury.

Why is "Ask the patient to walk unaided" not the answer?

Unaided walking is unsafe before clearance.

Why is "Give oral analgesia before assessment" not the answer?

Analgesia is useful but not the initial priority.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine trauma in Orthopaedics. The correct option holds because: Correct: protect the spine while addressing life threats.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Spine trauma?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.