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NUR 230 Exam 4 Concepts of Nursing
Childbearing and Child Caring Family
2026/2027 Test Bank with Verified Answers
and Detailed Rationales Grade A – Galen
1. What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?
Correct Answer: Motor Vehicle Accidents, Falls, Violence, Sports Injuries
Rationale:
1. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries.
2. Falls are the most common cause in older adults.
3. Violence (gunshot wounds) and sports injuries are also significant causes.
2. How long does it take to see the full extent of a spinal cord injury?
Correct Answer: Up to 72 hours
Rationale:
1. Spinal cord edema and inflammation peak within 72 hours.
2. The full extent of neurologic deficit may not be apparent immediately.
3. Repeated assessments are needed over the first 72 hours.
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3. What are the risk factors for spinal cord injuries?
Correct Answer: Ages 16-18, Male Gender, High-Risk Physical Activity,
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Rationale:
1. Young males (16-30 years) have the highest incidence of SCI.
2. High-risk activities include football, diving, and motocross.
3. Alcohol use is a contributing factor in many SCIs.
4. What are the clinical manifestations of a spinal cord injury?
Correct Answer: Inability to Breathe, Paraplegia, Loss of
Bowel/Bladder/Sexual Function, Chronic Pain, Hypotension, Impaired
Temperature Control; Depends on Level of Injury
Rationale:
1. Cervical injuries (C3-C5) affect the phrenic nerve and breathing.
2. Paraplegia (lower extremity paralysis) occurs with thoracic/lumbar
injuries.
3. Autonomic dysfunction causes hypotension and impaired temperature
control.
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5. What does a lumbar/sacral injury affect?
Correct Answer: Bowel Function
Rationale:
1. The sacral spinal cord (S2-S4) controls bowel and bladder function.
2. Lumbar and sacral injuries cause loss of bowel and bladder control.
6. What does the inability to sweat below the level of injury indicate?
Correct Answer: Impaired Temperature Control
Rationale:
1. Autonomic dysfunction after SCI impairs sweating.
2. The patient cannot cool themselves below the level of injury.
3. This leads to risk of hyperthermia.
7. Why are special beds used for spinal cord injury patients?
Correct Answer: Help Relieve Spinal Pressure; Decreases the Likelihood
of Pressure Ulcers and Cardiopulmonary Complications
Rationale:
1. Special beds (Stryker frame, RotoRest) allow turning without moving the
spine.
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2. Frequent position changes prevent pressure ulcers.
3. They also help mobilize pulmonary secretions.
8. What are body jackets or Jewett braces used for?
Correct Answer: Thoracic or Lumbar Injuries
Rationale:
1. These braces immobilize the thoracic and lumbar spine.
2. They allow for early mobilization and ambulation.
3. They are used for stable fractures.
9. What is the functional outcome of a C1-C3/4 spinal injury?
Correct Answer: Ventilator Dependent
Rationale:
1. The phrenic nerve originates from C3-C5.
2. Injuries above C3 cause complete diaphragm paralysis.
3. These patients require permanent mechanical ventilation.
10. What is the functional outcome of a C5 spinal injury?
Correct Answer: May be Off Ventilator; Gross Arm Movement
NUR 230 Exam 4 Concepts of Nursing
Childbearing and Child Caring Family
2026/2027 Test Bank with Verified Answers
and Detailed Rationales Grade A – Galen
1. What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?
Correct Answer: Motor Vehicle Accidents, Falls, Violence, Sports Injuries
Rationale:
1. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries.
2. Falls are the most common cause in older adults.
3. Violence (gunshot wounds) and sports injuries are also significant causes.
2. How long does it take to see the full extent of a spinal cord injury?
Correct Answer: Up to 72 hours
Rationale:
1. Spinal cord edema and inflammation peak within 72 hours.
2. The full extent of neurologic deficit may not be apparent immediately.
3. Repeated assessments are needed over the first 72 hours.
,2|Page
3. What are the risk factors for spinal cord injuries?
Correct Answer: Ages 16-18, Male Gender, High-Risk Physical Activity,
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Rationale:
1. Young males (16-30 years) have the highest incidence of SCI.
2. High-risk activities include football, diving, and motocross.
3. Alcohol use is a contributing factor in many SCIs.
4. What are the clinical manifestations of a spinal cord injury?
Correct Answer: Inability to Breathe, Paraplegia, Loss of
Bowel/Bladder/Sexual Function, Chronic Pain, Hypotension, Impaired
Temperature Control; Depends on Level of Injury
Rationale:
1. Cervical injuries (C3-C5) affect the phrenic nerve and breathing.
2. Paraplegia (lower extremity paralysis) occurs with thoracic/lumbar
injuries.
3. Autonomic dysfunction causes hypotension and impaired temperature
control.
,3|Page
5. What does a lumbar/sacral injury affect?
Correct Answer: Bowel Function
Rationale:
1. The sacral spinal cord (S2-S4) controls bowel and bladder function.
2. Lumbar and sacral injuries cause loss of bowel and bladder control.
6. What does the inability to sweat below the level of injury indicate?
Correct Answer: Impaired Temperature Control
Rationale:
1. Autonomic dysfunction after SCI impairs sweating.
2. The patient cannot cool themselves below the level of injury.
3. This leads to risk of hyperthermia.
7. Why are special beds used for spinal cord injury patients?
Correct Answer: Help Relieve Spinal Pressure; Decreases the Likelihood
of Pressure Ulcers and Cardiopulmonary Complications
Rationale:
1. Special beds (Stryker frame, RotoRest) allow turning without moving the
spine.
, 4|Page
2. Frequent position changes prevent pressure ulcers.
3. They also help mobilize pulmonary secretions.
8. What are body jackets or Jewett braces used for?
Correct Answer: Thoracic or Lumbar Injuries
Rationale:
1. These braces immobilize the thoracic and lumbar spine.
2. They allow for early mobilization and ambulation.
3. They are used for stable fractures.
9. What is the functional outcome of a C1-C3/4 spinal injury?
Correct Answer: Ventilator Dependent
Rationale:
1. The phrenic nerve originates from C3-C5.
2. Injuries above C3 cause complete diaphragm paralysis.
3. These patients require permanent mechanical ventilation.
10. What is the functional outcome of a C5 spinal injury?
Correct Answer: May be Off Ventilator; Gross Arm Movement
