SCI and Peripheral Flashcards
What are some risk factors for spinal cord injuries?
Young, male, motor vehicle accidents, ,violence, falls, sports, alcohol/ drug abuse, disease
What are some levels of injury that can occur for spinal cord injuries
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral
What is a tetraplegia spinal cord injury
high cervical nerves (C1-C4)
What is a complete tetraplegia spinal cord injury
total loss of sensory and motor function below level of injury
What is a incomplete tetraplegia spinal cord injury
mixed loss of voluntary motor activity and sensation
What is a primary spinal cord injury
initial damage caused by trauma from the event like contusion, laceration or compression of the cord
What is a secondary spinal cord injury
most accurately determined at 72 hours following injury like edema and ischemia of the spinal cord
What do cervical injuries result in
tetraplegia
What do injuries below t1 result in
paraplegia
What are some techniques to minimize spine movement
of log-roll movements and a backboard for transfer and placement of a rigid cervical collar
When should traumatic spinal injury be assumed
If the patient has a head injury, is unconscious or confused, or complains of spinal pain, weakness, and/or loss of sensation
What is an ASIA A spinal cord injury
injury is complete spinal cord injury with no sensory or motor function
What is an ASIA B spinal cord injury
a sensory incomplete injury with complete motor function loss
What is an ASIA C spinal cord injury
a motor incomplete injury, where there is some movement but less then half the muscle groups are anti-gravity (can life up against the force of gravity with a full range of motion)
What is an ASIA D spinal cord injury
a motor incomplete injury with more than half of the muscle groups are anti gravity
What is an ASIA E spinal cord injury
normal – no effects
What are the classification of mechanism of injury
flexion, hyperextension, flexion- rotation, extension- rotation, compression
What are levels of injury classifications
skeletal (vertebral injury), neurologic (lowest level with intact sensory/motor function bilaterally)
What are some diagnostic tests for spinal cord injuries
CT scan (location and degree), cervical scan (if cant get CT scan), MRI (neurological changes), Neuro exam (LOC, visual changes, mental status, PERRLA, sensation)
What are some pharm tx for spinal cord
methylprednisolone (not recommended for pts with penetrating wounds, brain injury, trauma), VTE prophylaxis is always used unless internal bleeding, Dopamine, atropine
How is the respiratory system affecting above level of C4
total loss of respiratory muscle function aka intubate
What is the respiratory function below the level of C4
diaphragmatic breathing
What is the tx for peripheral vasodilation
ted hose
What is a neurogenic bladder
Bladder dysfunction related to abnormal or absent bladder innervation, No reflex detrusor contractions (flaccid, hypotonic), Hyperactive reflex detrusor contractions (spastic), Lack of coordination between detrusor contraction and urethral relaxation