American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What should be done when neck pain follows trauma?

1. No further action is needed

2. Imaging should be done

3. Immediate surgery is required

4. Administer pain relief only

The correct answer is: Imaging should be done

When neck pain follows trauma, imaging should be done primarily to rule out potential serious injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, or spinal cord involvement. Trauma to the neck can cause various injuries that might not be immediately apparent through physical examination alone. Imaging, typically in the form of X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, assists in visualizing the cervical spine and surrounding structures, enabling the clinician to determine the extent of injury and guide further management. Identifying any significant injury early on is crucial in preventing complications, such as worsening neurological deficits or chronic pain. The other choices suggest either a lack of immediate action or inadequate intervention for potential serious conditions following neck trauma. Neglecting to perform imaging could lead to overlooking critical injuries, while administering pain relief without further assessment could mask underlying issues. Immediate surgery might be necessary in certain severe cases, but it is not a blanket requirement for all instances of trauma-related neck pain. Thus, the standard of care involves obtaining imaging to appropriately evaluate the injury before deciding on further treatment steps.