Exam 1 - MUST KNOW concepts

Question 1

What population is affect by Autonomic Dysreflexia?

Answer 1

SCI

Question 2

What population experiences Orthostatic Hypotension?

Answer 2

anyone

Question 3

What do you do if a patient has autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 3

RAISE HEAD OF BED!!!!

Find pain stimulus

Most common cause = distended bladder, kinked catheter, or full bowel

Others causes can be: ulcers, belt to tight, shoelace too tight, wrinkled sheet

Use medication to lower BP AS A LAST RESORT - BUT! be careful not to find stimulus and meds because it could cause a large drop in BP

Question 4

What are the symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 4

Severe headache - pounding

Facial flushing

Goosebumps

Diaphoresis (aka. sweating)

Nasal stuffiness

Question 5

What education do you provide to a patient with autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 5

Educate patient so they:

• understand signs and symptoms
• when to intervene
• and preventative strategies (i.e. high fiber diets, monitoring of lines, etc.)

Question 6

What are symptoms of orthostatic hypotension?

Answer 6

Lightheaded

dizzy

pale skin

low BP

Question 7

You have a pt in your clinic who returns to a seated postion after being treated in prone. They start to feel lightheaded and dizzy, and their skin begins to pale in color. You measure their BP and notice that is 90/60 mmHg. What condition is this patient displaying?

Answer 7

orthostatic hypotension

Lightheaded, dizzy, pale skin, low BP

Question 8

What education might you provide a patient to prevent orthostatic hypotension?

Answer 8

Educate patient on getting up slowly.

If they start to feel dizzy, sit or lay back down.

Question 9

What do you do if your patient is experiencing orthostatic hypotension?

Answer 9

Have them sit down.

Lay the patient down with their legs up.