Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards
What are the two main functions of the spinal cord?
Motor function
Sensory function.
What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?
Traumatic causes like motor vehicle accidents and non-traumatic causes like tumors.
What distinguishes a complete from an incomplete spinal cord injury?
A complete injury results in total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site, while an incomplete injury preserves some function.
What is Brown-Séquard Syndrome?
A syndrome caused by damage to one side of the spinal cord, resulting in ipsilateral motor loss and contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation.
What complications are associated with spinal cord injury?
Complications include spinal shock, neurogenic shock, respiratory issues, DVT, and autonomic dysreflexia.
What is spinal shock?
A complete loss of muscle tone and reflexes below the injury following a traumatic SCI.
What are the primary goals of nursing interventions for patients with spinal cord injuries?
Improving breathing, mobility, sensory awareness, skin integrity, and comfort.
What is the main cause of autonomic dysreflexia?
A stimulus below the injury level, such as a distended bladder or bowel impaction
What are the characteristics of Central Cord Syndrome?
Central Cord Syndrome causes greater motor weakness in the upper extremities than the lower extremities, with possible bowel and bladder dysfunction.
Describe the pathophysiology of secondary spinal cord injury.
Secondary injury includes inflammation, ischemia, free radical production, and apoptosis, all of which contribute to further neurological damage after the initial trauma.
What are the signs and symptoms of Autonomic Dysreflexia?
Severe hypertension, bradycardia, pounding headache, and profuse sweating, usually triggered by stimuli like bladder distention or bowel impaction.
Why is neurogenic shock dangerous in patients with spinal cord injuries?
It causes a loss of autonomic regulation, leading to dangerously low blood pressure, bradycardia, and vasodilation, affecting vital organ function.
How is spinal shock different from neurogenic shock?
Spinal shock refers to the temporary loss of all reflexes and muscle tone after injury, while neurogenic shock involves autonomic dysfunction resulting in hypotension and bradycardia.
What are some respiratory complications seen in patients with high cervical spinal cord injuries?
Respiratory failure, decreased lung capacity, retention of secretions, and a risk of pneumonia.
What interventions can prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with spinal cord injuries?
Anticoagulation therapy, compression stockings, pneumatic compression devices, and regular movement exercises.
