A client arrives in the emergency department after being involved in a motor vehicle accident; the client exhibits a complete loss of motor, sensory, autonomic, and reflex activity below the injury level. The nurse can determine if he is experiencing spinal shock by assessing
A) blood pressure and pulse rate.
B) for muscle spasm.
C) the presence of bowel sounds.
D) the pupillary response.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The immediate response to cord transection is called spinal shock or post-traumatic areflexia. The spinal cord-injured person experiences complete loss of skeletal muscle function, bowel and bladder tone, sexual function, and autonomic reflexes. Loss of venous return and hypotension also occur.

A Client Arrives in the Emergency Department After Being Involved