Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

z_MS1_Neuro Study > GF14: Neuro Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) > Flashcards

GF14: Neuro Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Flashcards

1
Q

What is an SCI?

A
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Spinal cord injuries happen when there is damage to or a break in the spinal cord.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are two types of SCIs?

A
  • Complete
  • Partial
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define complete SCI

A
  • Complete break in the spinal cord
  • No motor or sensory function below the level of injury
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define partial SCI

A
  • Spinal cord is only partially severed or damaged
  • Some level of sensory or motor function below the level of injury (highly variable)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the patho of a SCI?

A
  • Trauma occurs to the spine
  • The level of injury determines severity and what systems are affected.
  • Injury puts pressure on, cuts into or severs the spinal cord
  • Injury inflammation and bruising will occur cutting nerve signals below site of injury
    • Due to inflammation, initial s/s may be worse than where they will finally settle when the inflammation resolves
  • As the injury heals, scar tissue will form and some s/m function may or may not return
  • Pt will reach a new baseline of functioning
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are some common s/s of spinal cord injury?

A
  • Tingling/Vibrating/Buzzing sensation
  • Difficulty w/ balance and gait
  • Incontinence or retention
  • Loss of reflexes, motor or sensory functions
  • SOB, difficult WOB
  • HR/BP changes
  • Pain or pressure
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the emergency nursing interventions (immediately following SCI)?

A
  • ABCS
    • Airway, breathing, circulation, spine stability
  • Maintain fluid balance to keep BP stable WITHOUT causing fluid overload
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

After ABCS are addressed, what are the assessments to be done?

A
  • Mental status changes
  • Changes in level of consciousness
  • Blood perfusion
  • Blood pressure and heart rate
  • If they are intubated, assess their arterial blood gas (ABG) levels to make sure they are getting enough oxygen and aren’t retaining too much CO2.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How are we monitoring blood perfusion with a SCI pt?

A

Monitor the color and temperature of the patient’s skin and check capillary refill and peripheral pulses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are we assessing for regarding BP/HR of SCI pt?

A
  • Watch for hypotension and bradycardia, which can be signs that the patient is going into neurogenic shock, or
  • hypertension and bradycardia which may indicate autonomic dysreflexia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What assessment function tests should be done for SCI pt?

A
  • sensory and motor
  • reflexes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How do we prevent further damage of the spinal cord immediately post SCI?

A

Keep their head and spine straight, log-roll them if they need to be repositioned, and use a C-collar, traction device, or backboard

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why should we put compression socks on a pt with SCI?

A

blood vessels might lose sympathetic tone, and blood might pool in the legs. Using compression socks or sequential compression devices (SCDs) may help prevent DVTs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the relationship between SCIs and reflexes?

A
  • Reflexes don’t work during shock period
  • As inflammation subsides, shock ends and reflexes return to normal along w/ vitals
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the s/s of upper motor neuron damage?

A
  • Slight decrease in muscle mass (if LMN is still working)
  • Decrease in power/strength
  • Hypertonia/spasticity
  • Hyperreflexia
    • Babinski
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the s/s of lower motor neuron damage?

A
  • Significant decrease in muscle mass
  • Significant decrease in power (paresis/paralysis)
  • Hyporeflexia (dead reflexes)
  • Hypotonia/flaccid
17
Q

What is the collar that is standard to put on to protect cervical spine?

A

Philadelphia collar

18
Q

How does a C5 injury affect movement?

A

Pt will experience quadriplegia

19
Q

How does an injury to C3-5 affect respiratory function?

A
  • The phrenic nerve controls contraction/relaxation of the diaphragm
  • The phrenic nerve passes through C3-5
  • If there is an injury to C3-5, signals will not be able to pass the point of injury
  • Diaphragm function will be lost and the pt will no longer be able to breathe
  • They will need to be intubated and put on a ventilator
20
Q

What is the #1 priority for any C level injury?

A

Respiratory function

21
Q

How does a T1-T10 injury affect movement?

A
  • Pt will experience paraplegia
  • Gi tract and bladder won’t work properly
22
Q

True or False

A SCI to L1-L5 will render the patient a paraplegic.

A

False, it may or may not.

23
Q

What are the location levels of T4, T10, L3?

A
  • T4: nipple line
  • T10: navel line
  • L3: iliac crest
24
Q

What does the rotabed permit?

A

Rotating and pitching the pt into any position desired

25
Q

What is the potential respiratory problem for an SCI?

A

Respiratory insufficiency, failure or both

26
Q

What is are the SCI nursing interventions regarding the respiratory system?

A
  • Monitor respirations for sings of fatigue and impending failure
  • Provide pulmonary toileting/hygiene
  • Admin bronchodilators, as ordered
27
Q

What is pulmonary toileting/hygiene?

A
  • Exercises and procedures that help to clear your airways of mucus and other secretions.
  • This ensures that your lungs get enough oxygen and your respiratory system works efficiently.
  • (ex. breathing exercises, relaxed breathing, huffing, suction spirometry)
28
Q

What are the potential cardiovascular problems for an SCI?

A
  • Acute HTN
  • Bradycardia
  • Poikilothermia
  • DVT
  • Orthostatic hypotension
  • Autonomic dysreflexia
29
Q

What is are the SCI nursing interventions regarding the cardiovascular system?

A
  • Maintain MAP >85 for 7 days after injury
  • Monitor HR
  • Admin meds for symptomatic bradycardia, as ordered
  • Maintain normothermia
  • Minimize DVT and initiate prophylaxis
  • Monitor for orthostatic hypotension
  • Monitor for s/s of AD
30
Q

What are the potential genitourinary problems for an SCI?

A

Urinary retention

31
Q

What is are the SCI nursing interventions regarding the genitourinary system?

A
  • Decompress bladder via indwelling catheter insertion, as ordered
  • Implement intermittent straight catheterization protocol when appropriate
32
Q

What are the potential GI problems for an SCI?

A
  • Ileus
  • Constipation
33
Q

What is are the SCI nursing interventions regarding the GI system?

A
  • Monitor for abdominal distention
  • Maintain bowel elimination
34
Q

What are the potential musculoskeletal problems for an SCI?

A

Contractures

35
Q

What is are the SCI nursing interventions regarding the GI system?

A
  • Provide frequent ROM exercises
  • Admin antispasmodics, as ordered
36
Q

What are the potential integumentary problems for an SCI?

A

Skin breakdown

37
Q

What is are the SCI nursing interventions regarding the integumentary system?

A
  • Perform meticulous skin care
  • Reposition pt every 2hrs
  • Shift weight every 30 mins when pt is out of bed and upright in wheelchair

z_MS1_Neuro Study (30 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions