A school-age client is transported to the emergency department by ambulance from the scene of a car accident. The client is alert and oriented × 3; pulse, respirations, and blood pressure are stable; and the neck and back are immobilized on a backboard

Question

The nurse sees no obvious bleeding. The client states, "I can't feel or move my legs." Which injury does the nurse suspect?
1. Traumatic brain injury
2. Ruptured spleen
3. Traumatic shock
4. Spinal cord injury

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Spinal cord injury results in paralysis and anesthesia of the affected body parts below the level of the lesion. Altered levels of consciousness may indicate traumatic brain injury. The child may have a ruptured spleen, but it is not evident from the data given. Traumatic shock results in initially increasing then decreasing pulse and respirations, and falling blood pressure.