Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Complete vs Incomplete Lesions, Cervical Trauma, Thoracic Injury, Lumbar Injury, Hyperextension, Hyperflexion, Compression Injury, Rotational Trauma, Spinal Shock, Autonomic Dysreflexia, Cauda Equina Syndrome, Paraplegia, Quadrip

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Complete vs Incomplete Lesions, Cervical Trauma, Thoracic Injury, Lumbar Injury, Hyperextension, Hyperflexion, Compression Injury, Rotational Trauma, Spinal Shock, Autonomic Dysreflexia, Cauda Equina Syndrome, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Neurogenic Complications, Hemodynamic Instability, Respiratory Failure, Pressure Ulcers, DVT Prevention, Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction, Halo Fixator, Spine Stabilization, MRI and CT Diagnostics, Surgical Decompression, Rehabilitation Management Exam Questions Verified and Complete with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 What is a spinal cord injury (SCI)? Vertebrae or other objects are forced against the spinal cord, damaging nerve cells and preventing transmission of nerve impulses between the body and the brain. What is a hyperextension SCI? Too much extension; Head moves backwards What is a hyper flexion SCI? Too much flexion; chin to chest movement What causes a compression SCI? (2) - Diving into water - Falling on tail bone Which SCI is the worst? Rotational injuries What are examples of transection-penetrating trauma? (2) - Gunshot wound - Knife wound Where so transection-penetrating trauma usually occur? Discs What are risk factors for SCI? (6) - Male - 16-30 years old - MVC - Falling - Violence - Sports - Alcohol/drugs What are prevention methods for SCI? - Driver safety - Helmets - Sports education - Risk for falls - Geographic What are clinical manifestations of an SCI? (8) - Pain - Pressure - Weakness - Paralysis - Loss of sensation - Loss of bowel/bladder control - Altered breathing - Oddly positioned back What is a complete SCI? total loss of sensory/motor function below level of injury What is a incomplete SCI? partial loss sensory/motor function What is the level of injury? Lowest neurologic segment with intact motor/sensory function What do patients with a C3 or higher injury need? Ventilation What is paraplegia? Paralysis of the legs (T1 & lower) What is spinal shock? Spinal cord swelling (temporary) What is incomplete SCI syndrome? Bundle of nerve fibers at the bottom of the spinal cord (caudal equina, syndrome develops when nerves become irritated How is incomplete SCI syndrome treated? Emergency surgery What are symptoms of incomplete SCI syndrome? (3) - Lower back pain - Numbness in legs - Numbness in groin/ urinary/bowel incontinence What are cardiovascular complications of SCI? (2) - Dysrhythmias - Orthostatic hypotension What are interventions for cardiovascular complications for SCI? (5) - Vasopressor to raise BP - Encourage fluids - SCD's - Abdominal binder - Change positions slowly What are respiratory complications for SCI? (4) - Atelectasis - Pneumonia - Pulmonary embolism