A 10-year-old child is transported to the emergency department (ED) by ambulance from the scene of a motor vehicle crash. The child is alert and oriented ×3; pulse, respirations, and blood pressure are stable; neck and back are immobilized on a backboard. The nurse sees no obvious bleeding. The child states," I can't move or feel my legs." Which injury does the nurse suspect based on the current

Question

data?

1. Spinal cord injury
2. Traumatic shock
3. Traumatic brain injury
4. Ruptured spleen

Answer 1

1
Explanation:
1. Spinal cord injury results in paralysis and anesthesia of the affected body parts below the level of the lesion.
2. Traumatic shock results in initially increasing then decreasing pulse and respirations and falling blood pressure.
3. Altered levels of consciousness could indicate traumatic brain injury.
4. The child might have a ruptured spleen, but it is not evident from the data given in this scenario.