When assessing the patient's spine, the nurse differentiates between the cervical and thoracic vertebrae at the base of the neck by using the:

Question

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There are 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 3 to 4 coccygeal vertebrae in the spinal column.The following surface landmarks will orient you to their levels:
•The spinous processes of C7 and T1 are prominent at the base of the neck.
•The inferior angle of the scapula normally is at the level of the interspace between T7 and T8.
•An imaginary line connecting the highest point on each iliac crest crosses L4.
•An imaginary line joining the two symmetrical dimples that overlie the posterior superior iliac spines crosses the sacrum.

When Assessing the Patient's Spine, the Nurse Differentiates Between the Cervical