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Cervical spine injury — ABEM Board MCQ

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ModerateTraumaCervical spine injuryABEM Board

A 67-year-old man falls down stairs and arrives with neck pain. Triage acuity is ESI 3; BP 142/82 mm Hg, HR 84/min. He is alert but has midline cervical tenderness and decreased right hand grip strength. He takes apixaban for atrial fibrillation. Which of the following is the most appropriate imaging study?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — CT cervical spine without contrast

Age, midline tenderness, and neurologic deficit after trauma require cervical spine imaging; CT is the preferred initial study for bony injury.

Reference: ACEP trauma imaging guidance; NEXUS/Canadian C-spine rule literature