Which statement is part of the NEXUS criteria to determine who needs imaging after cervical spine trauma?

• A. Altered Mental Status
• B. Distracting Injury
• C. Neurologic Deficit
• D. Pain

Answer: (D)

NEXUS criteria guide whether cervical spine imaging is needed after trauma. The rule is that imaging isn’t necessary only if all of these are true: there is no midline cervical tenderness, no focal neurologic deficit, the patient is alert and oriented (normal mental status), no evidence of intoxication, and no distracting injuries. A distracting injury is specifically part of the criteria because it can mask neck pain or tenderness, making imaging prudent even if the neck seems fine.

Among the given statements, the one that fits the NEXUS framework is that a distracting injury is present. Pain by itself isn’t a NEXUS criterion, and altered mental status or a neurologic deficit are red flags that would prompt imaging rather than be treated as a criterion used to forego imaging.