A patient with a T5 spinal cord injury has manifestations of autonomic dysreflexia
Which assessments would indicate a possible cause for this condition? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. Presence of a pressure ulcer
2. Kinked urinary catheter tubing
3. Respiratory congestion
4. Diarrhea
5. Fecal impaction
1,2,5
Rationale 1: The presence of noxious stimuli below the level of the SCI may result in autonomic dysreflexia. A pressure ulcer may cause this complication.
Rationale 2: Autonomic dysreflexia can be caused by kinked catheter tubing, which allows the bladder to become full and triggers massive vasoconstriction below the injury site, producing the manifestations of this process.
Rationale 3: The presence of noxious stimuli below the level of the injury triggers autonomic dysreflexia. Respiratory congestion is not likely to be the cause in this patient.
Rationale 4: Diarrhea is not a common trigger for this complication.
Rationale 5: Fecal impaction may provide the noxious stimulus that triggers autonomic dysreflexia.
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