Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

C4 injury

Answer 1

Tetraplegia

Question 2

C6

Answer 2

Partial paralysis of hands and arms as well as lower body

Question 3

T6 injury

Answer 3

Paraplegia: below chest

Question 4

L1 injury

Answer 4

Paraplegia; below waist

Question 5

Emergency management of SCI

Answer 5

Rigid cervical collar and supportive blocks on back board with straps (not for penetrating trauma)
Treat systemic and neurogenic shock (maintain SBP >90)
Use log roll to move

Question 6

Stabilization of injured spinal segment

Answer 6

Eliminates damaging motion

Prevent secondary damage

Question 7

Decompression

Answer 7

Traction or realignment

Question 8

Early realignment

Answer 8

Closed reduction

Craniocervical traction

Question 9

Pin site care

Answer 9

Clean with 1/2 strength peroxide and NS twice a day

Apply antibiotic ointment

Question 10

Kinetic therapy

Answer 10

Side to side rotation

• prevent pulmonary complication
• prevents pressure ulcers

Question 11

Respiratory dysfunction

Answer 11

Spinal cord edema may increase during first 48 hr
May need intubation and ventilation
Risk for pneumonia and atelectasis increases

Question 12

Cardiovascular instability

Answer 12

Risk for Brady cardia and cardiac arrest
Chronic low BP
Increased risk for DVT

Question 13

Autonomic dysflexia

Answer 13

Most common risk is distended bladder or rectum
-HTN
-throbbing headache
-sweating above injury
-Brady cardiac
Elevate HON