# A 34-year-old is brought in after a high-speed MVC with possible cervical spine injury. Which actions are appropriate during initial trauma resuscitation? Select all that apply.

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> language: en  
> subject: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies  
> category: PPT

## Question

A 34-year-old is brought in after a high-speed MVC with possible cervical spine injury. Which actions are appropriate during initial trauma resuscitation? Select all that apply.

1

Logroll with at least three personnel to inspect the back and remove backboard

2

Maintain manual in-line stabilization while keeping the cervical collar in place

3

Remove the cervical collar to assess for tracheal deviation more easily

4

Use jaw thrust rather than head tilt-chin lift to open the airway

5

Apply NEXUS or Canadian C-Spine criteria with imaging before clinical clearance

## Explanation

Suspected cervical spine injury requires manual in-line stabilization, jaw thrust (not head-tilt) for airway, logroll with 3-4 personnel for back inspection while protecting the spine, and imaging-supported clearance using NEXUS or Canadian C-Spine rules. The collar is REMOVED only after clinical and radiographic clearance — never to facilitate visual inspection. Long-term backboard immobilization is removed early to prevent pressure injury once moved to the bed.

## In-depth explanation

NEXUS low-risk: no posterior midline tenderness, no intoxication, normal alertness, no focal deficit, no distracting injury → clinical clearance possible without imaging.

## Clinical scenario

GCS 13, complaining of neck pain, no focal deficit. Cervical collar in place. Vital signs stable.

## Key concepts

- **in-line stabilization** — Manual holding of the head in neutral alignment to limit cervical motion.
- **jaw thrust** — Airway maneuver lifting the mandible without extending the neck.
- **NEXUS criteria** — Clinical decision rule for low-risk cervical spine clearance.

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