Autonomic Dysreflexia

Question 1

Autonomic dysreflexia occurs in clients with what type of an injury?

Answer 1

A spinal cord injury (T-6 or above)

Question 2

What can cause autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 2

Stimuli such as full bladder or fecal impaction

Question 3

Why is autonomic dysreflexia so serious?

Answer 3

It is life threatening due to clients becoming extremely HYPERTENSIVE.

Question 4

What is the most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 4

Urinary Obstruction

Question 5

What are the signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 5

-Increased BP 40 mmHg
-Headache
-bradycardia
-blurred vision
-sweating

Question 6

What should be done doing and episode of autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 6

-1st Place the client in high Fowler’s
-check for bladder distention
-Loosen restrictive clothing.

Question 7

What is the treatment for autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 7

-Removal of the stimuli.
-Client needs to void or have a bowel movement as fecal impaction may be present.

Question 8

Clinical priority:

What should the nurse check for with the indwelling catheters?

Answer 8

Kinked because urinary obstruction is the most common cause of Autonomic dysreflexia.

Question 9

Clinical priority question:
What are other causes of Autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 9

-Increased in BP
-Bradycardia
-gooseflesh
-Headaches.

Question 10

Clincal priority question

Goose flesh is the same as?

Answer 10

Goosebumps, caused by chills or a change of temperature in the clients.