spinal cord injury

Question 1

complete SCI

Answer 1

no function below injury

Question 2

incomplete SCI

Answer 2

partial sensation and function

Question 3

SCI below T1

Answer 3

paraplegia (lower ext)

Question 4

injury to cervical region

Answer 4

quadriplegia (all 4 ext)

Question 5

above L1 or L2

Answer 5

hypertonia (spastic muscle tone)

Question 6

below L1 or L2

Answer 6

hypotonia (flaccid muscle tone)

Question 7

hyperextension MOI

Answer 7

sudden acceleration
rear end collision and falls when chin is pushed up

Question 8

hyperextension results in

Answer 8

posterior compression and anterior ligament may stretch or tear

Question 9

hyperflexion MOI

Answer 9

sudden deceleration
head on collision or driving accidents

Question 10

hyperflexion results in

Answer 10

ruptured or torn posterior ligaments

Question 11

compression MOI

Answer 11

extreme force to the spine
driving accident, fall on feet or buttocks

Question 12

rotation MOI

Answer 12

lateral flexion or twisting of head and neck
T bone, MVA, falls

Question 13

rotation results in

Answer 13

tear or rupture of posterior ligaments, dislocation of facet joints, fractures at articular processes

Question 14

secondary injury

Answer 14

biological processes that occur after initial traumatic event leading to further damage of spinal cord

Question 15

how to decrease secondary injury (drug)

Answer 15

immobilize and stabilize
airway mgmt
physiological support
methylprednisolone (corticosteroid)

Question 16

diagnosis of SCI

Answer 16

x ray
CT scan
MRI
angiograph
SEPs (somatosensory-evoked potentials)

Question 17

physical assessments

Answer 17

assessment of motor, sensory, and reflex function

Question 18

spinal shock

Answer 18

occurs 30-60 mins after injury
absence of reflexes, flaccidity, loss of sensation
treatment is symptomatic

Question 19

neurogenic shock

Answer 19

above T6
loss of SNS= hypotension, bradycardia, warm flushed skin
cardiac dysfunction

Question 20

neurogenic shock treatment

Answer 20

fluids and vasopressors, atropine

Question 21

resp complications of spinal injury

Answer 21

C1-C2 require mechanical ventilation *pneumonia risk
C3-C5 diaphragm paralysis
below C6 intercostal and abd muscle impairment

Question 22

autonomic dysreflexia

Answer 22

exaggerated sympathetic response from above T6
s/s hypertension, sweating, goosebumps, headache, blurred vision

Question 23

autonomic dysreflexia treatment

Answer 23

SIT PT UP
give antihypertensive
treat underlying cause (ex: distended bladder or bowel)

Question 24

perfusion complication

Answer 24

ortho hypotension

Question 25

neuropathic pain therapy

Answer 25

NSAIDS
opioids
antidepressants
anticonvulsants
cannabis

Question 26

spastic bladder

Answer 26

above T12
incomplete bladder emptying

Question 27

flaccid bladder

Answer 27

below T12
incontinence