Chapter 9: Spinal Trauma

Question 1

55% of spinal injuries occur in the ____ region

Answer 1

Cervical

Question 2

The axis allows the head approximately a ___ degree range of rotation

Answer 2

180 degree

Question 3

The human head weighs between how many pounds?

Answer 3

16 and 22 pounds

Question 4

At what level does the spinal cord occupy approximately 95% of the spinal canal

Answer 4

C3

Question 5

The spinal cord ends at what vertebra

Answer 5

L2

Question 6

Carries sensory impulses from body parts through the cord up to the brain

Answer 6

Ascending nerve tracts

Question 7

Responsible for carrying motor impulses from the brain through the cord down to the body and they control all muscle movement and muscle tone

Answer 7

Descending nerve tracts

Question 8

___ pairs of spinal nerves

Answer 8

31

Question 9

Dorsal root is for

Answer 9

Sensory impulses

Question 10

Ventral root is for

Answer 10

Motor impulses

Question 11

The nipple line is which dermatome

Answer 11

T4 dermatome

Question 12

The umbilicus level is which dermatome

Answer 12

T10 dermatome

Question 13

A patient will lose the ability to breathe spontaneously if the cord above what level is disrupted or if the phrenic nerves are cut

Answer 13

C2

Question 14

20% of falls from a height greater than 15 feet involve an associated____ fracture

Answer 14

Lumbar spine fracture

Question 15

Involves bruising or bleeding into the spinal cord’s tissues which may also result in temporary loss of cord function distal to the injury

Answer 15

Cord contusion

Question 16

Results from temporary disruption of the spinal cord functions distal to the injury

Answer 16

Cord concussion

Question 17

A neurological phenomenon that occurs for an unpredictable variable time after spinal cord injury, resulting in temporary loss of all sensory and motor function, flaccidity and paralysis, and loss of reflexes below the level of the spinal cord injury

Answer 17

Spinal shock

Question 18

Pressure on the spinal cord caused by swelling

Answer 18

Cord compression

Question 19

Occurs when cord tissue is torn or cut

Answer 19

Cord laceration

Question 20

All spinal tracks are interrupted, and all cord functions distal to the site or lost

Answer 20

Complete cord transection

Question 21

Is a result of bony fragments or pressure on the spinal arteries.

S/S: loss of motor function and pain, temperature, and light sensations

Answer 21

Anterior cord syndrome

Question 22

Occurs with hyperextension of the cervical area

S/S: weakness, parasthesia in the upper extremities but normal strength in the lower extremities; bladder dysfunction

Answer 22

Central cord syndrome

Question 23

Caused by penetrating injury and involves hemitransection of the cord involving only one side of the cord

S/S: loss of function on the affected side, with loss of pain and temperature sensation on the side opposite the injury

Answer 23

Brown Sequard syndrome

Question 24

Spinal cord injury can occur at any age however, it usually occurs in those ___ to ___ years of age

Answer 24

16 to 35 years of age

Question 25

Major causes of spinal injury in adult patients include:

Answer 25

1. MVC
2. Shallow water incidents
3. Motorcycle crashes
4. All other injuries and fall
5. Sport injuries

Question 26

Major causes of spinal injury in pediatric patients include:

Answer 26

1. Falls from heights (generally 2 to 3 times a patient’s height)
2. Falls from a bicycle
3. Being struck by a motor vehicle

Question 27

Conditions that mandates spinal immobilization

Answer 27

1. ALOC with GCS less than 15
2. Spinal pain or tenderness
3. Neurological deficit/complaint
4. Anatomical deformity of the spine

Question 28

A reliable patient is…

Answer 28

Calm, cooperative, and sober

Question 29

And unreliable patient may exhibit any of the following

Answer 29

Intoxication, distracting painful injuries, communication barriers

Question 30

Movement of the patient’s head into a neutral in line position is contraindicated when

Answer 30

1. Resistance to movement is noted
2. Neck muscle spasm
3. Increased pain
4. Patient begins to have a neurologic deficit such as numbness, tingling, or loss of motor ability
5. Compromise of the airway/ventilation

Question 31

3 most common immobilization errors

Answer 31

1. Inadequate immobilization (not strapped down tightly)
2. Immobilization with the head hyperextended (not padding under the head)
3. Readjusting the torso straps after the head has been secured

Question 32

Weight limit for long backboards

Answer 32

250 to 600 pounds