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Spinal cord injury after fall — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateTraumaSpinal cord injury after fallDipIMC

A 67-year-old man has fallen down stairs and remains sitting upright. He has neck pain, tingling in both hands and normal oxygen saturations; he is alert, normotensive, and an ambulance with a scoop stretcher is due in 4 minutes. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

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

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Correct answer: B — Maintain manual in-line stabilisation and wait for controlled extrication

Neurological symptoms after blunt trauma require movement minimisation and controlled extrication using available help and equipment. Walking or a single-rescuer move risks secondary cord injury. Venous access is less urgent than preventing avoidable movement in a stable patient.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; NICE NG41 Spinal injury