Chapter 7: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

Spinal cord

Answer 1

Transmits messages to and from the brain

Question 2

Complete SCI

Answer 2

Total severance of the spinal cord

No nerve function, voluntary motor or sensory function below level of injury

Question 3

Incomplete SCI

Answer 3

Some motor and sensory function below injury
Some nerve tracks can function but abnormally
Paraparesis-partial paralysis

Question 4

Pulmonary function implications

Answer 4

Affected due to muscles involved
If diaphragm is weakened or paralyzed a ventilation could be used
Prone to having pneumonia due to not clearing mucous out of the lungs

Question 5

Ambulatory injuries

Answer 5

Affected to some degree except sacral s1-s4
Injuries above T12 usually requires wheelchair
Injuries below l1 can have braces or crunches

Question 6

Bladder control implications

Answer 6

Most end up losing bowel and bladder control

Neurogenic bladder-where the bladder muscles are paralyzed and cannot empty out involuntary

Question 7

Bowel control implications

Answer 7

Neurogenic bowel-lower decal and anal are paralyzed
Can alter
Body image

Question 8

Sexual function and infertility

Answer 8

The higher the injured the most likely it would be affected

Question 9

Physical cervical implication (c1-c8)

Answer 9

Result in quadriplegia (paralysis of upper and lower extremity)
Injuries at c1-c2 can be fatal due to loss of control respiratory muscle
C1-c4-respiratory assistance
C5-bending elbow, can live independent
C6-may be able to feed and get dressed

Question 10

Thoracic level t1-t12

Answer 10

Result in paraplegia (paralysis on lower body)
T1-loss of flexibility and is weak in hands
T2-3-braces for posture
T7-t12-may walk using braces but only short distances

Question 11

Lumbar l1-l5

Answer 11

Cruches, braces total independence possible

Question 12

S1-s4

Answer 12

Ambulation often possible w little to no equipment

Bladder and bowel can be affected

Question 13

Initial management of SCI

Answer 13

Main focus is preventing any further injuries

Stabilizing physical condition

Question 14

Skeleton traction

Answer 14

Placement of a pin or wire onto a boney area which is attached to ropes to mobilize the vertebrae

Question 15

Halo brace

Answer 15

Metal pins inserted to the skull attached to metal halo plate surrounding the head;attached to a vest

Question 16

Pressure sores (decubitus ulcers)

Answer 16

Occurs when there is pressure on a body part overtime

Usually around the buttocks, arms , sacrum, heel and back and can be life threatening

Question 17

Spasticity

Answer 17

EXAGGERATED JERKS I’m the involuntary paralyzed muscle

Can cause pain, fatigue, disrupt sleep,

Question 18

Contractures

Answer 18

Loss of range in motion
Fixed deformation in a joint
Can be prevented by a proper wheelchair

Question 19

Osteoporosis

Answer 19

Inactivity that contributes to softening and weakening of the bone
SCI helps take calcium off the bone

Question 20

Chronic pain

Answer 20

1/3 with SCI have chronic pain
Contribute to stress and less social interaction
Neuropathic pain-when nerves send incorrect signals to pain centers

Question 21

Cardiovascular complication

Answer 21

Thrombophlebitis-formation of blood clots In the leg

Pulmonary embolism-blood clots that travel towards the lungs

Question 22

Autonomic dysreflexia

Answer 22

Reflex from a sudden rise in blood pressure excessive neural discharge
Common w upper injuries

Question 23

Urinate tract and bowel complications

Answer 23

Risk of uti’s due to not emptying the bladder
Pyleonephritis-infection to the kidneys

Paralytic ileus (condition in which the intestine ceases to function)