Chapter 9: Spinal Trauma Flashcards
55% of spinal injuries occur in the ____ region
Cervical
The axis allows the head approximately a ___ degree range of rotation
180 degree
The human head weighs between how many pounds?
16 and 22 pounds
At what level does the spinal cord occupy approximately 95% of the spinal canal
C3
The spinal cord ends at what vertebra
L2
Carries sensory impulses from body parts through the cord up to the brain
Ascending nerve tracts
Responsible for carrying motor impulses from the brain through the cord down to the body and they control all muscle movement and muscle tone
Descending nerve tracts
___ pairs of spinal nerves
31
Dorsal root is for
Sensory impulses
Ventral root is for
Motor impulses
The nipple line is which dermatome
T4 dermatome
The umbilicus level is which dermatome
T10 dermatome
A patient will lose the ability to breathe spontaneously if the cord above what level is disrupted or if the phrenic nerves are cut
C2
20% of falls from a height greater than 15 feet involve an associated____ fracture
Lumbar spine fracture
Involves bruising or bleeding into the spinal cord’s tissues which may also result in temporary loss of cord function distal to the injury
Cord contusion
Results from temporary disruption of the spinal cord functions distal to the injury
Cord concussion
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
Spinal shock
Pressure on the spinal cord caused by swelling
Cord compression
Occurs when cord tissue is torn or cut
Cord laceration
All spinal tracks are interrupted, and all cord functions distal to the site or lost
Complete cord transection
Is a result of bony fragments or pressure on the spinal arteries.
S/S: loss of motor function and pain, temperature, and light sensations
Anterior cord syndrome
Occurs with hyperextension of the cervical area
S/S: weakness, parasthesia in the upper extremities but normal strength in the lower extremities; bladder dysfunction
Central cord syndrome
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
Brown Sequard syndrome
Spinal cord injury can occur at any age however, it usually occurs in those ___ to ___ years of age
16 to 35 years of age
Major causes of spinal injury in adult patients include:
- MVC
- Shallow water incidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- All other injuries and fall
- Sport injuries
Major causes of spinal injury in pediatric patients include:
- Falls from heights (generally 2 to 3 times a patient’s height)
- Falls from a bicycle
- Being struck by a motor vehicle
Conditions that mandates spinal immobilization
- ALOC with GCS less than 15
- Spinal pain or tenderness
- Neurological deficit/complaint
- Anatomical deformity of the spine
A reliable patient is…
Calm, cooperative, and sober
And unreliable patient may exhibit any of the following
Intoxication, distracting painful injuries, communication barriers
Movement of the patient’s head into a neutral in line position is contraindicated when
- Resistance to movement is noted
- Neck muscle spasm
- Increased pain
- Patient begins to have a neurologic deficit such as numbness, tingling, or loss of motor ability
- Compromise of the airway/ventilation
3 most common immobilization errors
- Inadequate immobilization (not strapped down tightly)
- Immobilization with the head hyperextended (not padding under the head)
- Readjusting the torso straps after the head has been secured
Weight limit for long backboards
250 to 600 pounds
