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Cervical spine injury risk — RCPSC EM MCQ

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ModerateTraumaCervical spine injury riskRCPSC EM

A 48-year-old restrained driver is rear-ended at highway speed. He is alert, not intoxicated, and has midline neck pain with tingling in both hands. He can rotate his neck 45 degrees but has persistent paraesthesia. What is the most appropriate investigation?

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

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Correct answer: B — CT cervical spine

CT cervical spine is correct: the clues indicate Cervical spine injury risk and this option addresses the immediate ED priority. The distractors delay care, target a less likely problem, or are unsafe in this physiology.

Reference: Canadian C-Spine Rule; Canadian CT Head Rule