Spinal Cord Injury Flashcards
what kills nerve cells following a spinal cord injury
excessive release of neurotransmitters
an injury above what level leaves you paralyzed and unable to breathe on your own
above C4
tetraplegia AKA
quadraplegia
procedure in which a small balloon is injected in the area of a fractured vertebrae and cement is injected into the balloon
kyphoplasty
impairment scale: A=complete
no motor or sensory is preserved in sacral segments
impairment scale: B=incomplete
sensory, but not motor is preserved below injury
impairment scale: C=incomplete
motor is preserved below injury with weakness in more than 1/2 of key muscles
impairment scale: D=incomplete
motor is preserved below injury with weakness in at least 1/2 of key muscles
impairment scale: E
normal
innervate abdominal and thoracic organs
sympathetic fibers
innervate smooth muscles of the bowel, bladder, and reproductive organs
parasympathetic fibers
complete loss of skeletal muscles fxn, bowel and bladder tone, reflex fxn, and sensory fxn
spinal shock
in what type of shock is temperature control and the ability to perspire lost
spinal shock
type of shock that results from spinal cord injury causing severe vasodilation
neurogenic
most common category of shock resulting from SCI
distributive—vasogenic
types of vasogenic shock
anaphylactic
septic
neurogenic
s/s of neurogenic shock following SCI
vasodilation
bradycardia
hypotension
loss of venous return
priority assessment/interventions following SCI
immobilization
airway assessment
common mgmt of SCI
immobilization
drug therapy
surgery
commonly used drug for SCI
methylprednisolone (solumedrol)
are VS typically decreased or increased in SCI
decreased
good indicator of paralytic ileus following SCI
absent bowel sounds
SCI syndrome: ipsilateral paralysis, loss of touch, pressure, and vibration
contralateral loss of pain and temp
brown sequard syndrome (lateral cord)
SCI syndrome: loss of pain, temp, and motor fxn noted below level of lesion. light touch, position, vibration remain in tact
anterior cord syndrome
SCI syndrome: more deficits in upper extremities, B/B dysfunction variable but may be completely preserved
central cord syndrome
possible respiratory complications in acute phase of SCI
PE
atelectasis
pneumonia
possible neuro complications in acute phase of SCI
pain
spinal shock
possible cardio complications in acute phase of SCI
orthostatic hypotension
DVT
possible musculoskeletal complications in acute phase of SCI
contractures
pressure ulcers
T or F: cervical collars often strengthen neck muscles and can be worn for long periods of time
FALSE, they weaken muscles
hyperreflexia or exaggerated sympathetic response to noxious stimulus
autonomic dysreflexia
vasoconstriction or vasodilation in autonomic dysreflexia
SEVERE vasoconstriction
sxs of autonomic dysreflexia
severe HTN HA diaphoresis goosebumps nasal congestions bradycardia
most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia
full bladder/UTI
anti-htn meds given to decrease BP during autonomic dysreflexia
nifedipine
nitroglycerin paste
reflex bladder
incontinent of urine, bladder empties on reflex, injury above T-12
flaccid bladder
bladder becomes distended leading to overflow incontinence, injury below T-12
reflex bowel
injury above sacral region, incontinent and leaking stool
flaccid bowel
injury at sacral region, no BM until bowel is extremely full
