Following a cauda equina spinal cord injury, which action will the nurse include in the plan of care?

a. Catheterize patient every 3 to 4 hours.
b. Assist patient to ambulate several times daily.
c. Administer medications to reduce bladder spasm.
d. Stabilize the neck when repositioning the patient.


ANS: A
Patients with cauda equina syndrome have areflexic bladder, and intermittent catheterization will be used for emptying the bladder. Because the bladder is flaccid, antispasmodic medications will not be used. The legs are flaccid with cauda equina syndrome and the patient will be unable to ambulate. The head and neck will not need to be stabilized following a cauda equina injury, which affects the lumbar and sacral nerve roots.

Nursing

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