class 15 spinal cord injury Flashcards
what is a spinal cord injury
insult to cord changing motor/sesnory function
-most common in ages 16-30 males
most common causes of spinal cord injury
-motor vehicle crashes
-unintentional falls
-recreational activites
types of spinal cord damage
-transient concussion
-contusion
-laceration
-compression
-complete transecion
most common vertebra damaged
C5
C6
C7
T12
L1
priority with suspected spinal cord injury
-#1 ABC’s
-neuro assessment, immobilize complete
-assess V/S for hypovolemic shock
-X-ray
-MRI
(cannot know the extend of damage without imaging unless cord is completely severed)
what is tetraplegia
-cervical region affected
-all 4 extremities
what is paraplegia
-thoracic
-lumbar
-sacral regions
-lower extremities
what is complete spinal cord injury
-loss of motor and sensory function below injury
what is incomplete spinal cord injury
-partial or complete sensory/motor fibres perserved
if someone has a C3 injury or higher:
require mechanical ventilation
acute phase management of spinal cord management
-immobilization, body alignment, skin integrity
-respiratory and CV support
-high dose IV corticosteroids (not used in Canada)
-skeletal fracture reduction and traction
what is a primary spinal cord injury
as a result from an injury
what is secondary spinal cord injury
caused by edema, inflammation, surrounding primary injury
acute complications of spinal cord injury
spinal shock
neurogenic shock
what is spinal shock
-decreased reflex activity below injury (bowel & bladder loss of control)
-loss of sensation
-flaccid paralysis
-hypotension
-bradycardia