Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

what kills nerve cells following a spinal cord injury

Answer 1

excessive release of neurotransmitters

Question 2

an injury above what level leaves you paralyzed and unable to breathe on your own

Answer 2

above C4

Question 3

tetraplegia AKA

Answer 3

quadraplegia

Question 4

procedure in which a small balloon is injected in the area of a fractured vertebrae and cement is injected into the balloon

Answer 4

kyphoplasty

Question 5

impairment scale: A=complete

Answer 5

no motor or sensory is preserved in sacral segments

Question 6

impairment scale: B=incomplete

Answer 6

sensory, but not motor is preserved below injury

Question 7

impairment scale: C=incomplete

Answer 7

motor is preserved below injury with weakness in more than 1/2 of key muscles

Question 8

impairment scale: D=incomplete

Answer 8

motor is preserved below injury with weakness in at least 1/2 of key muscles

Question 9

impairment scale: E

Answer 9

normal

Question 10

innervate abdominal and thoracic organs

Answer 10

sympathetic fibers

Question 11

innervate smooth muscles of the bowel, bladder, and reproductive organs

Answer 11

parasympathetic fibers

Question 12

complete loss of skeletal muscles fxn, bowel and bladder tone, reflex fxn, and sensory fxn

Answer 12

spinal shock

Question 13

in what type of shock is temperature control and the ability to perspire lost

Answer 13

spinal shock

Question 14

type of shock that results from spinal cord injury causing severe vasodilation

Answer 14

neurogenic

Question 15

most common category of shock resulting from SCI

Answer 15

distributive—vasogenic

Question 16

types of vasogenic shock

Answer 16

anaphylactic
septic
neurogenic

Question 17

s/s of neurogenic shock following SCI

Answer 17

vasodilation
bradycardia
hypotension
loss of venous return

Question 18

priority assessment/interventions following SCI

Answer 18

immobilization

airway assessment

Question 19

common mgmt of SCI

Answer 19

immobilization
drug therapy
surgery

Question 20

commonly used drug for SCI

Answer 20

methylprednisolone (solumedrol)

Question 21

are VS typically decreased or increased in SCI

Answer 21

decreased

Question 22

good indicator of paralytic ileus following SCI

Answer 22

absent bowel sounds

Question 23

SCI syndrome: ipsilateral paralysis, loss of touch, pressure, and vibration
contralateral loss of pain and temp

Answer 23

brown sequard syndrome (lateral cord)

Question 24

SCI syndrome: loss of pain, temp, and motor fxn noted below level of lesion. light touch, position, vibration remain in tact

Answer 24

anterior cord syndrome

Question 25

SCI syndrome: more deficits in upper extremities, B/B dysfunction variable but may be completely preserved

Answer 25

central cord syndrome

Question 26

possible respiratory complications in acute phase of SCI

Answer 26

PE atelectasis pneumonia

Question 27

possible neuro complications in acute phase of SCI

Answer 27

pain | spinal shock

Question 28

possible cardio complications in acute phase of SCI

Answer 28

orthostatic hypotension | DVT

Question 29

possible musculoskeletal complications in acute phase of SCI

Answer 29

contractures | pressure ulcers

Question 30

T or F: cervical collars often strengthen neck muscles and can be worn for long periods of time

Answer 30

FALSE, they weaken muscles

Question 31

hyperreflexia or exaggerated sympathetic response to noxious stimulus

Answer 31

autonomic dysreflexia

Question 32

vasoconstriction or vasodilation in autonomic dysreflexia

Answer 32

SEVERE vasoconstriction

Question 33

sxs of autonomic dysreflexia

Answer 33

``` severe HTN HA diaphoresis goosebumps nasal congestions bradycardia ```

Question 34

most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia

Answer 34

full bladder/UTI

Question 35

anti-htn meds given to decrease BP during autonomic dysreflexia

Answer 35

nifedipine | nitroglycerin paste

Question 36

reflex bladder

Answer 36

incontinent of urine, bladder empties on reflex, injury above T-12

Question 37

flaccid bladder

Answer 37

bladder becomes distended leading to overflow incontinence, injury below T-12

Question 38

reflex bowel

Answer 38

injury above sacral region, incontinent and leaking stool

Question 39

flaccid bowel

Answer 39

injury at sacral region, no BM until bowel is extremely full