NCLEX RN Practice Question # 469
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Spinal shock
Description
- Spinal shock is also known as neurogenic shock.
- A sudden depression of reflex activity in the spinal cord occurs below the level of injury (areflexia).
- Spinal shock occurs within the first hour of injury and can last days to months.
- The muscles become completely paralyzed and flaccid, and reflexes are absent.
- Spinal shock ends when the reflexes are regained.
Assessment
- Spinal Shock
- Flaccid paralysis
- Loss of reflex activity below the level of the injury
- Bradycardia
- Paralytic ileus
- Hypotension
- Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Sudden onset, severe throbbing headache
- Severe hypertension
- Flushing above the level of the injury
- Pale extremities below the level of the injury
- Nasal stuffiness
- Nausea
- Dilated pupils or blurred vision
- Sweating
- Piloerection (goose bumps)
- Restlessness and a feeling of apprehension
Interventions
- Monitor for signs of spinal shock following a spinal cord injury.
- Monitor for hypotension and bradycardia.
- Monitor for reflex activity.
- Assess bowel sounds.
- Monitor for bowel and urinary retention.
- Provide supportive measures as prescribed,
- based on the presence of symptoms.
- Monitor for the return of reflexes.