The patient with a spinal cord injury has a sudden depression of reflex activity in the spinal cord below the level of injury. The nurse suspects which of the following?

A) Hypoactivity in reflexes
B) Hypertension
C) Spinal shock
D) Hypovolemia


Ans: C
Feedback: In spinal shock, the reflexes are absent, blood pressure and heart rate fall, and respiratory failure can occur. Since the patient does not perspire on the paralyzed portions of the body because sympathetic activity is blocked, close observation is required for early detection of an abrupt onset of fever.

Nursing

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