SCI

Question 1

List 4 S&S of autonomic dysreflexia

Answer 1

hypertension, bradycardia/tachycardia, throbbing headache, profuse sweating above lesion, seizures

Question 2

Name some noxious stimuli that can cause autonomic dysreflexia

Answer 2

Full bladder, kinked
catheter, full rectum, UTI, DVT, Pressure
sores, FES, wrinkles, ingrown toenails.

Question 3

What are some reasons for Caution in exercise post SCI due to possible problems with autonomic control

Answer 3

Orthostatic hypotension, Abnormal CV response to exercise, Thermal dysregulation, Autonomic dysreflexia

Question 4

Why is orthostatic hypotension prevalent in people post SCI

Answer 4

Lack of muscle pump below level of injury leads to blood pooling in extremities, which causes decreased
venous return and stroke volume (SV),
AND, Loss of sympathetic vasoconstriction leading to decreased peripheral resistance (TPR), WHICH…
Leads to DECREASE in Systolic Blood
Pressure (SBP) SBP = HR x SV x TPR