Page 1 of 84
2026 SPINAL CORD INJURY NCLEX BANK
EXAM ALL COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED) GUARANTEED
PASS/TOP-RATED A+.
NCLEX
Maximize your success on the Spinal Cord Injury NCLEX-focused
exam with targeted preparation that strengthens your
understanding of SCI pathophysiology, acute management,
rehabilitation nursing, and prevention of complications like
autonomic dysreflexia and pressure injuries. It is specifically
designed for nursing students to master this critical topic for
both the NCLEX and clinical practice.
A patient with a spinal cord injury at the T1 level complains
of a severe headache and an "anxious feeling." Which is the
most appropriate initial reaction by the nurse?
1. Try to calm the patient and make the environment
soothing.
2. Assess for a full bladder.
3. Notify the healthcare provider.
, Page 2 of 84
4. Prepare the patient for diagnostic radiography. ✓ ✓......
ANSWER ....... Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia occurs in patients with
injury at level T6 or higher, and is a life-threatening situation
that will require immediate intervention or the patient will
die. The most common cause is an overextended bladder or
bowel. Symptoms include hypertension, headache,
diaphoresis, bradycardia, visual changes, anxiety, and
nausea. A calm, soothing environment is fine, though not
what the patient needs in this case. The nurse should
recognize this as an emergency and proceed accordingly.
Once the assessment has been completed, the findings will
need to be communicated to the healthcare provider.
A hospitalized patient with a C7 cord injury begins to yell "I
can't feel my legs anymore." Which is the most appropriate
action by the nurse?
1. Remind the patient of her injury and try to comfort her.
2. Call the healthcare provider and get an order for radiologic
evaluation.
3. Prepare the patient for surgery, as her condition is
worsening.
, Page 3 of 84
4. Explain to the patient that this could be a common,
temporary problem. ✓ ✓...... ANSWER ....... Correct
Answer: 4
Rationale: Spinal shock is a condition almost half the people
with acute spinal injury experience. It is characterized by a
temporary loss of reflex function below level of injury, and
includes the following symptomatology: flaccid paralysis of
skeletal muscles, loss of sensation below the injury, and
possibly bowel and bladder dysfunction and loss of ability to
perspire below the injury level. In this case, the nurse should
explain to the patient what is happening.
The nurse is caring for a patient with increased intracranial
pressure (IICP). The nurse realizes that some nursing actions
are contraindicated with IICP. Which nursing action should
be avoided?
1. Reposition the patient every two hours.
2. Position the patient with the head elevated 30 degrees.
3. Suction the airway every two hours per standing orders.
4. Provide continuous oxygen as ordered. ✓ ✓...... ANSWER
....... Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Suctioning further increases intracranial
pressure; therefore, suctioning should be done to maintain a
, Page 4 of 84
patent airway but not as a matter of routine. Maintaining
patient comfort by frequent repositioning as well as keeping
the head elevated 30 degrees will help to prevent (or even
reduce) IICP. Keeping the patient properly oxygenated may
also help to control ICP.
A patient with a spinal cord injury (SCI) is admitted to the
unit and placed in traction. Which of the following actions is
the nurse responsible for when caring for this patient?
Select all that apply.
1. modifying the traction weights as needed
2. assessing the patient's skin integrity
3. applying the traction upon admission
4. administering pain medication
5. providing passive range of motion ✓ ✓...... ANSWER
....... Correct Answer: 2,4,5
Rationale: The healthcare provider is responsible for initial
applying of the traction device. The weights on the traction
device must not be changed without the order of a
healthcare provider. When caring for a patient in traction, the
nurse is responsible for assessment and care of the skin due
to the increased risk of skin breakdown. The patient in
2026 SPINAL CORD INJURY NCLEX BANK
EXAM ALL COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED) GUARANTEED
PASS/TOP-RATED A+.
NCLEX
Maximize your success on the Spinal Cord Injury NCLEX-focused
exam with targeted preparation that strengthens your
understanding of SCI pathophysiology, acute management,
rehabilitation nursing, and prevention of complications like
autonomic dysreflexia and pressure injuries. It is specifically
designed for nursing students to master this critical topic for
both the NCLEX and clinical practice.
A patient with a spinal cord injury at the T1 level complains
of a severe headache and an "anxious feeling." Which is the
most appropriate initial reaction by the nurse?
1. Try to calm the patient and make the environment
soothing.
2. Assess for a full bladder.
3. Notify the healthcare provider.
, Page 2 of 84
4. Prepare the patient for diagnostic radiography. ✓ ✓......
ANSWER ....... Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia occurs in patients with
injury at level T6 or higher, and is a life-threatening situation
that will require immediate intervention or the patient will
die. The most common cause is an overextended bladder or
bowel. Symptoms include hypertension, headache,
diaphoresis, bradycardia, visual changes, anxiety, and
nausea. A calm, soothing environment is fine, though not
what the patient needs in this case. The nurse should
recognize this as an emergency and proceed accordingly.
Once the assessment has been completed, the findings will
need to be communicated to the healthcare provider.
A hospitalized patient with a C7 cord injury begins to yell "I
can't feel my legs anymore." Which is the most appropriate
action by the nurse?
1. Remind the patient of her injury and try to comfort her.
2. Call the healthcare provider and get an order for radiologic
evaluation.
3. Prepare the patient for surgery, as her condition is
worsening.
, Page 3 of 84
4. Explain to the patient that this could be a common,
temporary problem. ✓ ✓...... ANSWER ....... Correct
Answer: 4
Rationale: Spinal shock is a condition almost half the people
with acute spinal injury experience. It is characterized by a
temporary loss of reflex function below level of injury, and
includes the following symptomatology: flaccid paralysis of
skeletal muscles, loss of sensation below the injury, and
possibly bowel and bladder dysfunction and loss of ability to
perspire below the injury level. In this case, the nurse should
explain to the patient what is happening.
The nurse is caring for a patient with increased intracranial
pressure (IICP). The nurse realizes that some nursing actions
are contraindicated with IICP. Which nursing action should
be avoided?
1. Reposition the patient every two hours.
2. Position the patient with the head elevated 30 degrees.
3. Suction the airway every two hours per standing orders.
4. Provide continuous oxygen as ordered. ✓ ✓...... ANSWER
....... Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Suctioning further increases intracranial
pressure; therefore, suctioning should be done to maintain a
, Page 4 of 84
patent airway but not as a matter of routine. Maintaining
patient comfort by frequent repositioning as well as keeping
the head elevated 30 degrees will help to prevent (or even
reduce) IICP. Keeping the patient properly oxygenated may
also help to control ICP.
A patient with a spinal cord injury (SCI) is admitted to the
unit and placed in traction. Which of the following actions is
the nurse responsible for when caring for this patient?
Select all that apply.
1. modifying the traction weights as needed
2. assessing the patient's skin integrity
3. applying the traction upon admission
4. administering pain medication
5. providing passive range of motion ✓ ✓...... ANSWER
....... Correct Answer: 2,4,5
Rationale: The healthcare provider is responsible for initial
applying of the traction device. The weights on the traction
device must not be changed without the order of a
healthcare provider. When caring for a patient in traction, the
nurse is responsible for assessment and care of the skin due
to the increased risk of skin breakdown. The patient in
