A 32-year-old cyclist is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed collision with a car. He is conscious with a Glasgow Coma Scale of 15 ...

Question

A 32-year-old cyclist is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed collision with a car. He is conscious with a Glasgow Coma Scale of 15 but complains of neck pain. What is the most appropriate initial management of his cervical spine?

Accepted Answer

Apply a rigid cervical collar and maintain spinal precautions until injury is excluded

Answer

Allow him to sit up for comfort while awaiting X-ray

Answer

Ask him to actively rotate his neck to assess pain

Answer

Remove his helmet and collar as soon as he reports normal sensation

Answer

Delay spinal precautions until CT imaging is available

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Suspected cervical spine injury

A 32-year-old cyclist is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed collision with a car. He is conscious with a Glasgow Coma Scale of 15 but complains of neck pain. What is the most appropriate initial management of his cervical spine?