A patient with cancer is experiencing lower extremity numbness and loss of motor function. What should be done to assist this patient?
function. What should be done to assist this patient?
1. Assess for spinal cord compression.
2. Provide intravenous fluids.
3. Administer oxygen.
4. Turn and reposition every two hours.
Correct Answer: 1
Spinal cord compression is most commonly associated with pressure from expanding tumors of the breast, lung, or prostate; lymphoma; or metastatic disease. Spinal cord compression constitutes an emergency because of the potential for irreversible paraplegia. Back pain is the initial symptom in almost all cases of spinal cord compression. This may progress to leg pain, numbness, paresthesias, and coldness. Later, bowel and bladder dysfunction occur and, finally, neurologic dysfunction progressing from weakness to paralysis. Treatment often consists of radiation or surgical decompression, but early detection is essential. The patient should be assessed for spinal cord compression and not provided with intravenous fluids, oxygen, or turned and repositioned every two hours.
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