Brandon Sharp Spinal Cord Injury; The patient is a 21 year old male

Brandon Sharp, NKA, Full code, 176lb The patient is a 21 year old male transferred from the Neuro Care unit 8 days ago to the Neuro Rehabilitation facility. He suffered a C5 spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle collision 4 weeks ago. He underwent a spinal fusion for the C5 burst fracture 4 days post injury. He is admitted for comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation to achieve optimal function. He is a first year medical student and he used to work part time at the college in a medical computer simulation laboratory. What would be your primary assessments for a patient who was just admitted with a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis? Why are those a priority? ● Vital Signs – autonomic disruption - possible hypotension and hypothermia ● Breathing pattern – paralysis of abdominal respiratory muscles – more difficult to clear secretions ● Lung sounds – same ● Motor/sensory function – additional damage may occur ● Palpate for urinary retention – loss of regularity/function related to paralysis ● Bowel sounds – same