Clinical Care- Spinal Cord Injuries

Question 1

what is the number one cause of spinal cord injuries?

Answer 1

MVA (47%)

usually young males

Question 2

most spinal cord injuries occur with injury to which structure that protects the spine?

Answer 2

the vertebral column

Question 3

how might a spinal cord injury present?

Answer 3

depends on spinal cord level affected

immediately after injury there may be a complete physiologic loss of all spinal cord function below level of injury

delayed sx can occur due to swelling in the spinal cord

Question 4

treatment of spinal cord injury

Answer 4

ABC's 
C spine 
Cervical injury may have poor respiratory function 
maintain o2 and BP 
Foley if bladder paralysis 
sedate if necessary 

MEDEVAC ASAP
C-spine CT and Neurosurgical Consultation

Question 5

what is the steroid treatment for spinal cord injury?

Answer 5

Methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) 125mg IM/IV q 4-6 hours prn

Question 6

what is the NEXUS criteria for C spine XR

Answer 6

1) N: Focal Neurological deficit
2) S: Midline Spinal tenderness
3) A: Altered mental status
4) I: Intoxicated
5) D: Distracting injuries