RNSG 2539 - Exam 3 Review Questions And Correct
Answers
Flexion Spinal Cord Injury - ANSWER-think whiplash injuries in MVA's.
Cervical spine ruptures posterior ligaments
hyperextension spinal cord injury - ANSWER-Head is suddenly accelerated then
decelerated
-Ex. Diving (hit face), fall with chin strike, rear end collision (break happens in
front of spine)
Compression fractures of spinal cord - ANSWER-compression of spinal cord
caused by fractured vertebrae
flexion-rotation spinal cord injury - ANSWER-displacement of vertebrae
think of a fall, or violent collision. Ex. Christopher Reeve
injury to cervical spine causes - ANSWER-injury to C4 causes tetraplegia from
neck down
injury to c6 causes tetraplegia from shoulders down
injury to thoracic spine - ANSWER-Paralysis in legs and thoracic region but
arms can still function
Loss of bowel and bladder control
Pain
injury to lumbar spine - ANSWER-paralysis of legs and pelvic region
Loss of bowel and bladder control
Pain
Sensory changes
Spasticity and weakness
medical interventions for spinal injury's - ANSWER-c-spine immobilization
•The patient is kept on the transfer board.
•No part of the body should be twisted or turned, and the patient is not
allowed to sit up.
•If cervical fracture is found the patient may be placed on a rotating specialty
bed with cervical traction
•Or in a cervical collar with a hard bed
•Or a halo vest
, RNSG 2539 - Exam 3 Review Questions And Correct
Answers
nursing interventions for spinal cord injury - ANSWER-- immobilization
- assess resp dysfunction
- assess cardio fxn
- monitor s/s of hypovolemic shock
- assess nutritional status and presence of stress ulcers
- assess urinary and bowel fxn
- assess environment for temp control
- assess pain
- SCD, TED
- medications
surgery options for spinal cord injury - ANSWER-Surgery is indicated if:
•Compression of the cord is evident.
•Fragmented or unstable vertebral body.
•A wound that penetrates the cord.
•Neurologic status is deteriorating.
•Early stabilization improves outcome
•Goal: stabilize & remove pressure to preserve function
Medication
•High-dose IV corticosteroids (methylprednisolone)
spinal shock s/s - ANSWER-decreased reflexes, loss of sensation, and flaccid
paralysis below the level of injury
nursing diagnosis for high cervical spinal cord injury if pt is intubated - ANSWER-
risk for injury
what can be done to combat venous pooling and low bp in a patient with spinal
cord injury - ANSWER-tilt gunnery or wheelchair
What is neurogenic bladder - ANSWER--Lack of nerve supply to the bladder
-Person can't feel when bladder is full
-Must use catheter to void
clinical manifestations of neurogenic bladder - ANSWER-- poor voiding due to
inability to feel need to void
- overflow incontinence so full bladder cannot feel, incontinent
Answers
Flexion Spinal Cord Injury - ANSWER-think whiplash injuries in MVA's.
Cervical spine ruptures posterior ligaments
hyperextension spinal cord injury - ANSWER-Head is suddenly accelerated then
decelerated
-Ex. Diving (hit face), fall with chin strike, rear end collision (break happens in
front of spine)
Compression fractures of spinal cord - ANSWER-compression of spinal cord
caused by fractured vertebrae
flexion-rotation spinal cord injury - ANSWER-displacement of vertebrae
think of a fall, or violent collision. Ex. Christopher Reeve
injury to cervical spine causes - ANSWER-injury to C4 causes tetraplegia from
neck down
injury to c6 causes tetraplegia from shoulders down
injury to thoracic spine - ANSWER-Paralysis in legs and thoracic region but
arms can still function
Loss of bowel and bladder control
Pain
injury to lumbar spine - ANSWER-paralysis of legs and pelvic region
Loss of bowel and bladder control
Pain
Sensory changes
Spasticity and weakness
medical interventions for spinal injury's - ANSWER-c-spine immobilization
•The patient is kept on the transfer board.
•No part of the body should be twisted or turned, and the patient is not
allowed to sit up.
•If cervical fracture is found the patient may be placed on a rotating specialty
bed with cervical traction
•Or in a cervical collar with a hard bed
•Or a halo vest
, RNSG 2539 - Exam 3 Review Questions And Correct
Answers
nursing interventions for spinal cord injury - ANSWER-- immobilization
- assess resp dysfunction
- assess cardio fxn
- monitor s/s of hypovolemic shock
- assess nutritional status and presence of stress ulcers
- assess urinary and bowel fxn
- assess environment for temp control
- assess pain
- SCD, TED
- medications
surgery options for spinal cord injury - ANSWER-Surgery is indicated if:
•Compression of the cord is evident.
•Fragmented or unstable vertebral body.
•A wound that penetrates the cord.
•Neurologic status is deteriorating.
•Early stabilization improves outcome
•Goal: stabilize & remove pressure to preserve function
Medication
•High-dose IV corticosteroids (methylprednisolone)
spinal shock s/s - ANSWER-decreased reflexes, loss of sensation, and flaccid
paralysis below the level of injury
nursing diagnosis for high cervical spinal cord injury if pt is intubated - ANSWER-
risk for injury
what can be done to combat venous pooling and low bp in a patient with spinal
cord injury - ANSWER-tilt gunnery or wheelchair
What is neurogenic bladder - ANSWER--Lack of nerve supply to the bladder
-Person can't feel when bladder is full
-Must use catheter to void
clinical manifestations of neurogenic bladder - ANSWER-- poor voiding due to
inability to feel need to void
- overflow incontinence so full bladder cannot feel, incontinent
