A 53-Year-Old Man Comes to the Emergency Department Due to Severe

question 252

Multiple Choice

A 53-year-old man comes to the emergency department due to severe lower back pain.  The patient's back pain started 2 weeks ago without any preceding trauma and has been keeping him awake at night.  The pain has acutely worsened over the past 2 days and is not relieved with over-the-counter pain medications.  His vital signs are within normal limits.  Examination shows low back pain that is worse with back flexion and raising of the legs; it radiates into his left leg.  Pinprick in the perianal area does not cause rapid contraction of the anal sphincter.  The rest of the neurologic examination is normal.  Which of the following nerve roots is most likely to be involved in this patient's condition?

• A)T12
• B)L2
• C)L4
• D)L5
• E)S1
• F)S4

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Definitions:

Precommitments

Actions or commitments made in advance to strategically constrain one's future actions or choices, often used to achieve a desired outcome.

Utility Maximization

The principle that individuals or firms aim to achieve the highest level of satisfaction or benefit from their choices, given their resources.

Opportunity Cost

is the value of the best alternative forgone when a choice is made between competing options, representing the trade-offs associated with every decision.

Revenue Potential

The maximum amount of income that could be generated from a particular market or product, under ideal conditions.