Suspected spinal cord injury — DipIMC MCQ
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Correct answer: E — Convey to a trauma receiving unit with spinal cord pathway activation
Explanation lettering: C = shown as B · D = shown as C · E = shown as D · B = shown as E
B is correct: Neurological deficit after spinal injury needs early trauma and spinal pathway activation rather than minor injury care. A is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; C is less suitable because it does not address the discriminator in the vignette; D is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; E is less suitable because it does not address the discriminator in the vignette. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.
Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; NICE Major Trauma NG39; ATACC