Spine: cervical spine clearance: 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: cervical spine clearance

Sample item

A conscious, alert patient involved in a road accident has no midline neck tenderness, no focal neurological deficit, no intoxication and no painful distracting injury. What does this fulfil?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. The NEXUS low-risk criteria, so imaging may not be needed

NEXUS low-risk criteria are no posterior midline cervical tenderness, no focal neurological deficit, normal alertness, no intoxication and no painful distracting injury. A patient meeting all five can be cleared clinically without imaging.

Option by option

  • A. An indication for MRI of the whole spine

    MRI is not routinely needed.

  • B. The NEXUS low-risk criteria, so imaging may not be needed (correct)

    Correct. These are the NEXUS low-risk criteria.

  • C. An absolute indication for CT

    Meeting these criteria does not call for CT.

  • D. An indication for halo fixation

    Halo fixation is for unstable injuries.

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 B, The NEXUS low-risk criteria, so imaging may not be needed. NEXUS low-risk criteria are no posterior midline cervical tenderness, no focal neurological deficit, normal alertness, no intoxication and no painful distracting injury.

Why is "An indication for MRI of the whole spine" not the answer?

MRI is not routinely needed.

Why is "An absolute indication for CT" not the answer?

Meeting these criteria does not call for CT.

Why is "An indication for halo fixation" not the answer?

Halo fixation is for unstable injuries.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: cervical spine clearance in Orthopaedics. A patient meeting all five can be cleared clinically without imaging.

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: cervical spine clearance?

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.