A 45-year-old female with acute low back pain reveals no red flags in her history or examination. What is the most appropriate initial imaging approach?

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Multiple choice — select the best answer

AImmediate lumbar spine X-rays
BMRI of the lumbar spine
CCT scan of the lumbar spine
DNo imaging unless symptoms persist beyond 4-6 weeks

✓ Correct answer: D. No imaging unless symptoms persist beyond 4-6 weeks For acute low back pain without red flags, clinical guidelines recommend delaying imaging for at least 4-6 weeks to allow for natural resolution. Premature imaging can lead to unnecessary interventions and has not been shown to improve outcomes in uncomplicated cases.

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A 45-year-old female with acute low back pain reveals no red flags in her history or examination. What is the most appropriate initial imaging approach?

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