A 30-year-old male is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. He is conscious and complaining of severe neck pain. On examination, you note weakness in both upper extremities with intact sensation. What would be the most appropriate initial management for this patient?
Apply a cervical collar and secure the patient to a backboard
Administer a neuromuscular blocker for immediate management
Give intravenous analgesics without immobilization
Begin a CT scan to evaluate for bleeding