Which factor would classify a patient as high risk according to C-spine rules?

Which factor would classify a patient as high risk according to C-spine rules?

• A. Ambulatory status
• B. Age over 65 years
• C. Sitting comfortably in the ER
• D. Low impact rear-end collision

Answer: (B)

A patient being over the age of 65 years is classified as high risk according to the C-spine rules, which are designed to help healthcare providers make decisions about whether to perform imaging studies in patients with possible cervical spine injuries. Older adults often have increased fragility of the cervical spine due to factors such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, making them more susceptible to serious injuries even with less significant trauma. High-risk factors in the context of cervical spine evaluation include a variety of elements, but increasing age is a recognized criterion due to the physiological changes that occur with aging. This demographic tends to have more complex injuries that may not be immediately evident, thus requiring a more cautious approach to assessment and management.

A patient being over the age of 65 years is classified as high risk according to the C-spine rules, which are designed to help healthcare providers make decisions about whether to perform imaging studies in patients with possible cervical spine injuries. Older adults often have increased fragility of the cervical spine due to factors such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, making them more susceptible to serious injuries even with less significant trauma.

High-risk factors in the context of cervical spine evaluation include a variety of elements, but increasing age is a recognized criterion due to the physiological changes that occur with aging. This demographic tends to have more complex injuries that may not be immediately evident, thus requiring a more cautious approach to assessment and management.