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Suspected spinal injury — DipIMC MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateTraumaSuspected spinal injuryDipIMC

A 45-year-old falls 4 metres onto concrete. He is alert, has midline neck pain and altered sensation in both hands, with no immediate airway or bleeding problem. What is the most appropriate management?

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

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Correct answer: A — Use manual in-line stabilisation and selective spinal motion restriction

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · E = shown as C · A = shown as D · C = shown as E

D is correct: Spinal precautions should be targeted to risk and symptoms while avoiding harmful delays or unnecessary immobilisation. A is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; B is less suitable because it does not address the discriminator in the vignette; C is less suitable because it does not address the discriminator in the vignette; 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