cliot (version 1.0.0)

nexus_c_spine_criteria: NEXUS Criteria for C-Spine Imaging

Description

Calculates the NEXUS (National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study) criteria result to determine the need for cervical spine imaging in blunt trauma patients. If all five criteria are absent, the patient is considered low risk and can be cleared clinically without imaging.

Usage

nexus_c_spine_criteria(focal_neurologic_deficit, midline_spinal_tenderness,
                       altered_level_of_consciousness, intoxication,
                       distracting_injury)

Value

A list containing:

Result

Recommendation regarding the need for C-spine imaging ("Indicated" or "Not Indicated").

Inputs

A summary of the criteria evaluated.

Arguments

focal_neurologic_deficit

Numeric (0 or 1). Presence of focal neurologic deficit. (1 = Yes).

midline_spinal_tenderness

Numeric (0 or 1). Presence of posterior midline cervical spinal tenderness. (1 = Yes).

altered_level_of_consciousness

Numeric (0 or 1). Presence of an altered level of consciousness (GCS < 15, disorientation, etc.). (1 = Yes).

intoxication

Numeric (0 or 1). Is there evidence of intoxication? (1 = Yes).

distracting_injury

Numeric (0 or 1). Is there a painful distracting injury? (1 = Yes).

References

Hoffman JR, Mower WR, Wolfson AB, et al. Validity of a set of clinical criteria to rule out injury to the cervical spine in patients with blunt trauma. N Engl J Med. 2000;343(2):94-99. doi:10.1056/NEJM200007133430203

Examples

# Example 1: Low Risk (Cleared)
# No deficits, no tenderness, alert, sober, no distracting injury
nexus_c_spine_criteria(0, 0, 0, 0, 0)

# Example 2: Imaging Indicated (Distracting Injury)
# Distracting injury present
nexus_c_spine_criteria(0, 0, 0, 0, 1)