Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

Complete spinal cord injury

Answer 1

Eliminates all innervation below the level of injury

Question 2

Incomplete spinal cord injury

Answer 2

Injuries that allow some function or movement below the level of injury

Question 3

Five primary mechanisms that result in a spinal cord injury

Answer 3

Hyperflexion
Hyperextension 
Axial loading, vertical compression 
Excessive rotation
Penetrating trauma

Question 4

Hyperflexion

Answer 4

The head is suddenly accelerated forward

Question 5

Hyperextension

Answer 5

Vehicle is struck from behind, falls, chin is struck

Head moves backward

Question 6

Axial loading

Answer 6

Vertical compression

Question 7

Rotation injuries

Answer 7

Turning head beyond normal range

Question 8

Penetrating trauma

Answer 8

Classified by speed of object (knife, bullet)

Question 9

Secondary injuries

Answer 9

Hemorrhage 
Ischemia 
Hypovolemia 
Impaired tissue perfusion 
Neurogenic shock 
Local edema

Question 10

C3-C5 innervate

Answer 10

Phrenic nerve- controls diaphragm

Question 11

The level of injury is

Answer 11

The lowest neurological segment with intact or normal motor and sensory function

Question 12

Tetraplegia

Answer 12

Paralysis of all four extremities

Question 13

Quadriparesis

Answer 13

Weakness of all four extremities

Question 14

Paraplegia

Answer 14

Paralysis of lower extremities

Question 15

Paraparesis

Answer 15

Weakness in lower extremities

Question 16

Spinal shock

Spinal shock syndrome

Answer 16

Cords immediate response to injury-

Temporary loss 48 hours or longer

Motor, sensory, reflex, autonomic function

Question 17

Hypoeathesia

Answer 17

Decreased sensation

Question 18

Hypereathesia

Answer 18

Increased sensation

Question 19

Six point scale for motor function

Answer 19

0 no movement

5 normal strength

Question 20

Keep BP above

Answer 20

90 systolic

Question 21

Injuries above T6 cause

Answer 21

Cardiac dysfunction and loss of sympathetic input

Question 22

Neurogenic shock

Answer 22

Hypotension
Bradycardia
Hypothermia

Question 23

Areflexic (neurogenic) bladder

Answer 23

No reflex ability for bladder contraction

Leading to retention

Question 24

Heterotopic ossification

Answer 24

Bony overgrowth, often into muscle

Question 25

Treating neurogenic shock

Answer 25

Fluids
Vasopressors
Supportive care

Question 26

If the patient has a fractured vertebra, the primary concern is to

Answer 26

Reduce and immobilize to prevent damage from bony fragments

Question 27

Halo traction

Answer 27

8-12 weeks
Fixed skeletal
C-spine injury

Question 28

Celecoxib

Celebrex

Answer 28

COX 2

Prevents bony overgrowth

Question 29

Dextran

Answer 29

Plasma expander

Increase capillary blood flow and treats:prevents hypotension

Question 30

Atropine

Answer 30

Treats bradycardia if HR falls below 50-60

Question 31

Tizanidine

Answer 31

Skeletal muscular relaxant

Controls spasms