Multi-System Trauma Part 1 Flashcards
Spinal Cord Injuries, Care of the Emergency Patient beside bites
Spinal Cord Injury cells do / do not regenerate
DO NOT regenerate
Spinal Cord Injury results from
trauma
- partial or complete damage to the spinal cord
SCI is the
degenerative loss of motor, sensory and autonomic function
What happens during SCI to the cells?
Apoptosis (programmed cell death)
- days to months after initial injury
- **sudden reoval of survival signals or disassociation from neighboring cells
T/F: SPINAL SHOCK is a true shock.
False
What can not be regained after a SCI?
central nervous system function
What 2 factors cause the SCI to excel
Edema secondary to inflammatory response is harmful because of lack of space for tissue expansion
Edema and inflammation of SCI result in
compression of cord and extension of edema above and below injury increase ischemic damage
The extent of injury and prognosis for recovery most accurately determined
at least 72 hours or more after injury
- up to 1 year after
Spinal Shock is
Temporary neurologic syndrome
Spinal Shock characterized by
loss of deep tendon and sphincter reflexes, loss of sensation, and flaccid paralysis below the level of injury.
Spinal shock masks
postinjury neurologic function** can have more mvmt ability later than when they first come in
- resolved when you get the reflexes back
Neurogenic shock occur where in the spine
T6 and higher
Neurogenic Shock occurs from
unopposed parasympathetic response due to loss of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) innervation
Neurogenic shock causes
peripheral vasodilation, venous pooling, and decreased cardiac output
Neurogenic shock s/s
significant hypotension (< 90 mmHg), bradycardia, and temperature dysregulation
- Warm and dry (PINK) due to blood in periphery
Neurogenic shock lasts
1-3 weeks
Neurogenic shock’s hypotension can cause
poor perfusion and oxygenation to the spinal cord and worsen spinal cord ischemia
Neurogenic shock is what type of problem
pipe problem
- vessel vasodilate into periphery
- low HR and BP
- no resistance
What can you do to determine if it is a neurogenic shock issue?
500 -1000mL OF FLUID if it does not work then you know it is neurogenic shock then give vasopressors but don’t drown them
What can you use to help the neurogenic shock pt with orders
TED hose, compression socks, SCD, belly binder and vasopressors
SCI is classified by the
(1) mechanism of injury, (2) level of injury, and
(3) degree of injury
Major mechanisms of SCI
flexion, flexion-rotation, hyperextension, vertical compression, extension-rotation, and lateral flexion
Flexion-rotation injury is the
most unstable because ligaments that stabilize the spine are torn. This injury most often contributes to severe neurologic deficits