SCI (Part 1) Flashcards
1
Q
Traumatic SCI
A
- Mechanical forces (non-reversible damage)
- Secondary microvascular, biomechanical, cellular processes (apoptosis, edema, information)
2
Q
Non-traumatic SCI
A
- Vascular damage (AVM, hemorrhage)
- Occupying space (neoplasm, abscess, syrinx)
- Secondary damage (MS, ALS)
- infection (transverse Myelitis)
- compression (DJD)
3
Q
% break down of SCI
A
- incomplete tetraplegia: 47% (C5-C7)
- incomplete paraplegia: 20% (T12-L2)
- complete paraplegia: 20%
- complete tetraplegia: 12%
4
Q
SCI: Prognosis
A
- decreased life expectancy
- mortality rate highest in the first year
5
Q
Causes of Death for SCI
A
- pneumonia
- sepsis (urinary infection, pressure ulcers)
6
Q
SCI: Initial Management
A
- ABC (airway, breathing, circulation)
- management of life threatening injuries
- It might be in SCI if there is… (Paresthesia, spinal pain, sensory loss, altered mental state)
- Stabilize or immobilize the spine (no A/PROM, backboard, c-collar)
- transport to trauma center
7
Q
SCI: Trauma Center
A
- Ensure optimal ventilation and circulation
- Physical exam, neurological exam, imaging (CT, MRI)
8
Q
SCI: ICU Management
A
- Check to see if ventilation is
- Organ function
- Ensure proper circulation (avoid hypoxia and hypotension)
- Bowel/bladder management (catheters inserted)
- Integumentary integrity
9
Q
SCI: High Dose Steriods
A
- no evidence to support use
10
Q
SCI: Local and Systemic Hypothermia
A
- Goal = minimize secondary damage and no protection
- Reducing cell death, oxidative stress, information, Adema, and minimize secondary
ischemia
- Reducing cell death, oxidative stress, information, Adema, and minimize secondary
11
Q
SCI: Fracture Management
A
- Facture stabilization (open reduction)
- Unstable fracture site, cord compression, malalignment, deteriorating neuro status)
- performed with 24hrs of injury
12
Q
SCI: Non-surgical Intervention
A
- Closed reduction
- Traction devices (fracture/dislocation, cervical subluxation)
- Immobilization (positioned in a rotating bed)
13
Q
SCI: Immobilization
A
- Used in surgical and nonsurgical interventions
- Halo (good at preventing cervical rotation)
- spinal orthodox
- recumbent positioning
- monitor skin integrity
14
Q
Spinal Shock
A
- Transient reflects depression (abrupt loss of connection between cortex and spinal cord)
- Areflexia
- Loss of reflexes = bulbocavernosus, cremasteric, babinski
- impaired regulation of hormones: hypotension, lack of piloerrection, no sweating
- Can last 24 hours
- It’s slowly regained after 72 hours up to four weeks
- Do not assess spinal cord level until after 72 hours
15
Q
Hypertonia
A
- UMN injury (common in cervical SCI)
- Spasticity, high muscle tone, clonus, muscle spasms, hyperactive reflexes
- Gradually increases during the first six months, plateaus after year one
16
Q
Hypertonia Management
A
- Stretching
- Surgery
- Medication
- oral: (mm relaxants and spasmolytic agents: baclofen, tizandine, diazepam, dantrolene sodium)
- botulinum neurotoxin intramuscular injection
- baclofen pump: intrathecal