Final answer:
Inline stabilization of the neck is used to prevent further injury to the cervical spine, while the NEXUS cervical spine ruleout is used to determine the need for imaging studies to assess for potential fractures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of inline stabilization of the neck is to prevent further injury to the cervical spine in cases of trauma or suspected spinal cord injury. This technique involves manually stabilizing the neck in a neutral position to maintain alignment of the vertebrae and minimize movement.
The NEXUS cervical spine ruleout is a clinical decision rule used to determine the need for imaging studies (such as X-rays) to assess for potential cervical spine fractures following trauma. It helps identify low-risk patients who are unlikely to have significant cervical spine injury and can safely be discharged without imaging.