This document discusses nursing care for patients with spinal cord injuries. It notes that spinal cord injuries are most commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, and violence. The extent of injuries can range from incomplete quadriplegia to complete paraplegia. Management involves immobilization, decompression, corticosteroids, nutrition support, and careful attention to lung function, skin integrity, and bowel and bladder management. The nursing process addresses potential problems like impaired mobility, sensation, breathing and elimination. Education is also important to prevent issues like autonomic dysreflexia and promote independent self-care.
10. TYPES
• Concussion
• Contusion
• Compression
• Laceration
• Transection- Complete,
Incomplete, preserved
sensation only, preserved
motor nonfunctional,
preserved motor functional
• Hemorrhage
• Damage or obstruction of
spinal blood supply
11. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
SPINAL SHOCK:
• 7-20 days up to 3 mths
• Skeletal muscles, bladder, bowel, sexual
function and autonomic control.
• Paralysis and flaccidity, absence of sensation,
loss of bladder and rectal control, drop in BP,
• Poor venous circulation
• SNS- Thermal control
• Sweating and capillary dilation
13. AUTONOMICHYPERREFLEXIA
• Syndrome ↑BP at any
time after spinal shock
resolves.
• CVS response to SNS
stimulation.
• Paroxysmal HT, pounding
headache, blurred vision,
sweating, flushing of skin,
nasal congestion, nausea,
piloerection and
bradycardia
• Cause : Distended bladder
or rectum
