Spinal Cord Injury and Autonomic Dysreflexia- Chapter 45 – Flashcards

loss of motor function, sensation, reflex activity, and bowel and bladder control, behavior and emotional problems

spinal cord has been severed or damaged in a way that eliminates all innervation below the level of injury

injury that allows some function or movement below the level of injury

hyperflexion, hyperextension, axial loading or vertical compression, excessive rotation

head is suddenly and forcefully accelerated, causing extreme flexion of neck. ligaments can be torn and vertebrae dislocated or fractured (ex. head on vehicle collisions and driving accidents)

head is suddenly accelerated then decelerated, this stretches or tears ligaments, fractures vertabrae, ruptures disk. (ex. vehicle struck from behind or fall when patient's chin is struck)

caused by diving accidents, falls on buttocks, or a jump when a person lands on feet. a blow to the top of the head cause vertebrae to shatter, pieces of bone enter spinal canal and damage cord

caused by turning head beyond normal limit range

(ex. knife or bullet) speed of object causing injury

trauma

#1 MVA #2 acts of violence and sports related accidents

ABC - assess airway, breathing pattern, and circulation status

suddent onset of severe, throbbing headache, severe rapidly occurring hypertension, bradycardia, flushing above level of lesion (face and chest), pale extremeties below level of lesion, nasal stuffiness, sweating, nausea, blurred vision, piloerection, feeling of apprehension

excessive, uncontrolled sympathetic output

noxious stimulus (usually distended bladder or constipation)

this is a neurologic emergency and must be promptly treated to prevent hypertensive stroke

place patient in sitting position (FIRST PRIORITY), page/notify health care providere, loosen tight clothing, assess and treat cause, check urinary catheter tube for kinks, check for bladder distension (if no catheter, cath patient immediately), check room temp to ensure its not too cool, monitor bp every 10-15 min, give nitrates as prescribed