cliot (version 1.0.0)

nexus_head_ct_rule: NEXUS Head CT Decision Instrument

Description

Calculates the NEXUS Head CT result to determine the need for head CT imaging in blunt head trauma patients. If any one of the eight criteria is present, the patient is not considered low risk, and imaging is indicated.

Usage

nexus_head_ct_rule(age_ge_65, skull_fracture_evidence, scalp_hematoma,
                   neurologic_deficit, altered_alertness, abnormal_behavior,
                   coagulopathy, persistent_vomiting)

Value

A list containing:

Result

Recommendation regarding the need for Head CT ("Indicated" or "Not Indicated").

Inputs

A summary of the criteria evaluated.

Arguments

age_ge_65

Numeric (0 or 1). Is the patient 65 years of age or older? (1 = Yes).

skull_fracture_evidence

Numeric (0 or 1). Evidence of significant skull fracture? (1 = Yes).

scalp_hematoma

Numeric (0 or 1). Scalp hematoma present? (1 = Yes).

neurologic_deficit

Numeric (0 or 1). Neurologic deficit present? (1 = Yes).

altered_alertness

Numeric (0 or 1). Altered level of alertness? (1 = Yes).

abnormal_behavior

Numeric (0 or 1). Abnormal behavior present? (1 = Yes).

coagulopathy

Numeric (0 or 1). Coagulopathy present? (1 = Yes).

persistent_vomiting

Numeric (0 or 1). Persistent vomiting? (1 = Yes).

References

Mower WR, Hoffman JR, Herbert M, et al. Developing a decision instrument to guide computed tomographic imaging of blunt head injury patients. J Trauma. 2005;59(4):954-959. doi:10.1097/01.ta.0000187813.79047.42

Examples

# Example 1: Low Risk
# No criteria present
nexus_head_ct_rule(0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)

# Example 2: Indicated (Age)
# 70yo, no other findings
nexus_head_ct_rule(1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)