Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a primary injury in the context of spinal cord injuries?
What is a primary injury in the context of spinal cord injuries?
Which of the following factors is not considered a risk factor for spinal cord injury?
Which of the following factors is not considered a risk factor for spinal cord injury?
Which condition is characterized by paralysis affecting the legs only?
Which condition is characterized by paralysis affecting the legs only?
What describes the effects of neurogenic shock?
What describes the effects of neurogenic shock?
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What is secondary injury typically a result of?
What is secondary injury typically a result of?
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What is the most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia after spinal shock has resolved?
What is the most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia after spinal shock has resolved?
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Which intervention is most appropriate immediately when a patient is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia?
Which intervention is most appropriate immediately when a patient is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia?
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Which of the following statements about spinal shock is accurate?
Which of the following statements about spinal shock is accurate?
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Which of the following is NOT a potential complication associated with spinal cord injury?
Which of the following is NOT a potential complication associated with spinal cord injury?
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To improve mobility in patients with spinal cord injuries, which practice is recommended?
To improve mobility in patients with spinal cord injuries, which practice is recommended?
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Study Notes
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Overview
- SCI results from trauma like concussion, contusion, laceration, compression, or transection of the spinal cord.
- Primary injury is the immediate trauma.
- Secondary injury, often from ischemia, hypoxia, and hemorrhage, damages nerve tissue further.
- Treatment is needed to prevent initial damage from becoming permanent.
- Injury severity is categorized as incomplete or complete.
- Paraplegia affects legs; quadriplegia (tetraplegia) affects arms and legs.
Spinal Shock
- Spinal shock is a sudden decrease in reflex activity below the injury level.
- Symptoms include muscular flaccidity, loss of sensation, and absent reflexes.
- This is a temporary phenomenon.
Neurogenic Shock
- Neurogenic shock affects autonomic nervous system function below the injury.
- Symptoms include decreased blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output.
- Peripheral vasodilation leads to pooling of venous blood.
- Skin in the affected areas loses sweating ability.
Complications of SCI
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE): Blood clots.
- Orthostatic hypotension: Low blood pressure when standing up.
- Autonomic dysreflexia: Exaggerated autonomic nervous system response.
- Pressure injuries: Bedsores.
- Infections: Urinary, respiratory, or around surgical sites.
Improving Mobility
- Maintain proper body alignment.
- Move only as instructed and when spine is stable.
- Perform passive range-of-motion exercises at least four times daily.
- Use neck braces as prescribed.
- Move slowly to an upright position.
Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD)
- An acute emergency condition that occurs after spinal shock resolves.
- Affects individuals with SC lesions above T6.
- AD features exaggerated autonomic responses, and triggers include a full bladder, bowel issues, skin irritation.
- Symptoms include severe headache, elevated blood pressure, profuse sweating, nausea, congestion, and bradycardia.
Autonomic Dysreflexia Interventions
- Immediately sit the patient up to lower blood pressure.
- Quickly identify and address the cause of the episode.
- Empty the bladder with a urinary catheter.
- Assess the rectum, skin, and other possible triggers.
- Antihypertensives may be required.
- Document the risk of AD in the medical record.
- Educate patients on AD prevention and management strategies.
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Description
This quiz covers the essentials of spinal cord injuries, including causes, types, and immediate responses like spinal and neurogenic shock. It explains the difference between primary and secondary injuries, as well as the classifications of paraplegia and quadriplegia. Test your knowledge on this critical topic in spinal health care.
