CAISS Spine Injuries 4

Question 1

An odontoid (dens) fracture type II without displacement in a 75-year-old is coded in AIS at what level compared to the same fracture with displacement causing cord compression?

Accepted Answer

Lower AIS without displacement; higher AIS with cord compression

Answer

Displacement with cord compression elevates the AIS severity code because neurological compromise is a key severity determinant in spine coding.

Question 2

The AIS descriptor 'spinal cord contusion' without complete functional loss would most likely receive a severity code of:

Accepted Answer

AIS 4

Answer

Spinal cord contusion with incomplete neurological deficit typically earns AIS 4 (severe), reflecting significant neural tissue injury without complete functional loss.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a factor coded within the AIS Spine chapter severity descriptors?

Accepted Answer

Patient's pre-existing degenerative disc disease

Answer

Pre-existing degenerative disease is a comorbidity, not a component of the AIS injury severity descriptor, which focuses on the acute traumatic injury.

Question 4

A MAIS (Maximum AIS) of 5 from a spinal injury means the patient:

Accepted Answer

Has a critical injury that is life-threatening but survivable

Answer

AIS 5 (critical) indicates a life-threatening injury with uncertain survival probability, distinct from AIS 6 which is defined as unsurvivable.

Question 5

Which spinal cord syndrome is characterized by greater motor loss in the upper extremities than the lower extremities and typically results from cervical hyperextension in older patients?

Accepted Answer

Central cord syndrome

Answer

Central cord syndrome causes disproportionately greater weakness in the arms than legs and is the most common incomplete spinal cord injury pattern.

(CAISS) Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist Practice Test

(CAISS) Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist Practice Test

CAISS Spine Injuries 4