Adult C-Spine Assessment

Question 1

Adult C-Spine Assessment - High risk criteria? (9)

Answer 1

Fall from 1 m / 5 stairs or greater
Axial load to head (e.g. diving injuries)
MVC (Speed greater than 100 km/h, rollover, ejection)
Motorized recreational vehicles
Bicycle collision with object
Medical risk factors
MVC with death of other occupant in the same vehicle
Collisions involving ATVs, motorbikes, and snowmobiles
Pedestrian/cyclist struck by motor vehicle at greater than 15 km/h

Question 2

Adult C-Spine Assessment - C-collar application and SMR are NEVER indicated in which type of trauma?

Answer 2

Isolated penetrating trauma

Question 3

Adult C-Spine Assessment - Low risk criteria? (4)

Answer 3

Ambulatory at any time
Absence of pain during midline palpation
Delayed (not immediate) onset of neck pain
Simple rear-end MVC, excluding:

Question 4

Adult C-Spine Assessment - If Thoracic or Lumbar spinal injury is suspected pt should be?

Answer 4

Placed supine and not asked to ambulate

Question 5

Adult C-Spine Assessment - Canadian C-spine rule step 1?

Answer 5

Pt alert, cooperative and stable with no neuro deficits? If yes move on with assessment

Question 6

Adult C-Spine Assessment - Canadian C-spine rule step 2?

Answer 6

Presence of neck pain following blunt trauma? If Yes continue with assessment. If no proceed to neck rotation

Question 7

Adult C-Spine Assessment - Canadian C-spine rule step 3?

Answer 7

Any high risk factors present with mandate C-spine? If no move on with assessment

Question 8

Adult C-Spine Assessment - Canadian C-spine rule step 4?

Answer 8

Any low risk factors which allow safe assessment of neck motion? If yes continue with assessment

Question 9

Adult C-Spine Assessment - Canadian C-spine rule step 5?

Answer 9

Able to rotate 45 degrees both directions? If yes no SMR required