🦴 NEXUS C-Spine Criteria
Clear the cervical spine clinically with the NEXUS low-risk criteria.
NEXUS C-Spine Criteria
Midline cervical tenderness
Focal neurological deficit
Altered level of alertness
Intoxication
Distracting painful injury
When to use
Decide whether C-spine imaging can be safely avoided after trauma.
How it works
Imaging can be deferred only if all are absent: midline tenderness, focal neuro deficit, altered alertness, intoxication, and a distracting injury.
Key points
- All five must be negative to clear clinically.
- Highly sensitive for clinically significant injury.
- Canadian C-Spine Rule is an alternative with higher specificity.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.