Spinal cord injury

Question 1

Causes?

Answer 1

• Hyperflexion
• Hyperextension
• vertical compression
  -rotational forces

Question 2

Complications

Answer 2

• hemmorhage
• edema
• Circulation issues!!
• Watch for ischemia

Question 3

S/s of SCI

Answer 3

• Loss of motor fxn
• loss of sensation
• loss of reflexes
• loss of bowel/bladder

Question 4

Injury below t1

Answer 4

-Paraplegia: weakness or paralysis of LE

Question 5

Injury to cervical region

Answer 5

• quadraplegia to all extremities

Question 6

Injury above L1/L2

Answer 6

reuslts in hypetonia (spastic muscle tone)
- neurogenic bladder

Question 7

Injury below L1/L2

Answer 7

Results in hypotonia
- Flaccid neurogenic bladder

Question 8

Tx:

Answer 8

Steroids - inflammation
- analgesics
- muscle relaxants for spasms
Procedures: lmainonectomy, fusion, hypothermia

Question 9

Nursing Care

Answer 9

• Stabilization of spine
• Maintain airway
• Monitor for neurogenic shock
  -autonomic dysreflexia
• hemorrhage
• Halo Traction: Move patient as a unit never pull on rods make sure there is a wrench

Question 10

Patients with C3 or above injury are at what high risk

Answer 10

Respiratory dysfunction

Question 11

What is Neuogenic Shock

Answer 11

ANS disregulation
-occurs for injuries above t6
- Loss of SNS activity
- instability in HR, BP, Temp

Question 12

S/s

Answer 12

• hypotnesion, bradycardia, warm flushed skin

Question 13

Tx

Answer 13

Vasopressors, atropine, IV fluids

Question 14

Autonomic Dysreflexia

Answer 14

Life threatening HTN
- Stimuli below level of injury like distended bladder that initaes sympathetic response
- Parasympathetic can not compensate

Question 15

Sx of AD

Answer 15

• Extreme HTN
• Severe HA
• blurred vision
• diaphoresis

Question 16

Nursing care for AD

Answer 16

• Sit patient up!! (First thing)
• notify provider
• loosen clothing
• address cause
• adminster antihypertensives
  -monitor BP!!