A patient suffered an acute T6 spinal cord injury. Family has been told that the patient will likely be paraplegic. However, this morning the patient has limited use of her arms. How should the nurse explain this change?
1. "There must be a second area of fracture higher in the spine."
2. "The spinal cord is probably swollen above the area of original injury."
3. "These changes are due to the low blood pressure she had before she got to the hospital."
4. "This is a sign that she is dehydrated and will go away as we give her more IV fluids."
Answer: 2
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