What is NOT a component of the NEXUS criteria for ruling out cervical spine injury?

What is NOT a component of the NEXUS criteria for ruling out cervical spine injury?

• A. Absence of posterior midline tenderness
• B. No evidence of intoxication
• C. Presence of neurological deficits
• D. Normal mental status

Answer: (C)

The NEXUS criteria is a clinical decision-making tool designed to help assess patients with potential cervical spine injuries. For the criteria to be met and to rule out a cervical spine injury, several specific components must be present. The correct answer identifies "Presence of neurological deficits" as not being a component of the NEXUS criteria. The NEXUS criteria focus on factors that help determine if a cervical spine injury should be suspected. These factors include the absence of posterior midline tenderness, no evidence of intoxication, normal mental status, and the patient's ability to safely move their neck. If neurological deficits are present, it indicates a potential issue that would heighten the suspicion of a cervical spine injury rather than rule it out. Therefore, this option does not align with the purpose of the NEXUS criteria, which aims to identify patients who are safe to manage without imaging. The other components listed serve as criteria for excluding a cervical spine injury: the absence of posterior midline tenderness suggests no significant injury to the spine, while being free from intoxication and having a normal mental status help ensure that the assessment is accurate and not confounded by factors that could impair judgment or cognitive function.

The NEXUS criteria is a clinical decision-making tool designed to help assess patients with potential cervical spine injuries. For the criteria to be met and to rule out a cervical spine injury, several specific components must be present.

The correct answer identifies "Presence of neurological deficits" as not being a component of the NEXUS criteria. The NEXUS criteria focus on factors that help determine if a cervical spine injury should be suspected. These factors include the absence of posterior midline tenderness, no evidence of intoxication, normal mental status, and the patient's ability to safely move their neck. If neurological deficits are present, it indicates a potential issue that would heighten the suspicion of a cervical spine injury rather than rule it out. Therefore, this option does not align with the purpose of the NEXUS criteria, which aims to identify patients who are safe to manage without imaging.

The other components listed serve as criteria for excluding a cervical spine injury: the absence of posterior midline tenderness suggests no significant injury to the spine, while being free from intoxication and having a normal mental status help ensure that the assessment is accurate and not confounded by factors that could impair judgment or cognitive function.