Autonomic Dysreflexia for Nursing Students

Question 1

Medical emergency - affects SCI pats when above T7
Some pain stimulus - something sending signal that pain/discomfort below level injury
ANS - sensing it and vessels vasoconstrict below level of lesion
As vessels cont constrict to try send signals to brain - before even gets to brain - baroreceptors - supposed relax vessels - not get signal to lower area to LE because severed cord
Vasodilation above level injury and vasoconstriction causing very dangerous HTN below level injury; vagus nerve causes bradycardia - severe HTN and bradycardia

Answer 1

Aka autonomic hyperreflexia

Question 2

Severe and pounding headache - all blood going to head
Facial flushing with headache - vessels vasodilated above level injury
Diaphoresis
Goosebumps
Nasal stuffiness - push blood into nasal cavity and face where get blushing

Answer 2

Assessment

Question 3

Raise HOB - pressure comes down from head
Find pain stimulus - only thing reverse it - most common prob/cause - distended bladder - not empty it OR impacted or full bowel; can also include pressure ulcer, belt or shoelace too tight, sheet wrinkled underneath that, foley clips scrunching the bed; anything below level lesion causing discomfort that cannot identify - if not work or identify within 1-3 min lower with meds
Meds lower BP - nitro - relax vessels

Answer 3

Interventions

Question 4

Feels like when autonomic dysreflexia and BP begins rise below level lesion - early signs; pay attention to bladder
Bowel regimen - high fiber diet, prune juice
Skin care - good imp; not feel themself in same position for extended periods - quick way for skin breakdown

Answer 4

Edu