A patient has a spinal cord injury that included damage to the upper motor neurons. What assessment finding would the healthcare provider associate with this injury?
A)Permanent paralysis below the level of the injury
B)Initial paralysis, but gradual partial recovery later
C)Hemiplegia on the contralateral side of the body
D)Notable increase in the amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Upper motor neurons (i.e., corticospinal tract) are the classification of motor pathways completely contained within the CNS. Their primary roles include directing, influencing, and modifying reflex arcs, lower-level control centers, and motor and some sensory neurons. Damage or destruction to upper motor neurons generally results in partial paralysis that is followed by a gradual and partial recovery. Permanent paralysis is usually the result of lower motor neuron destruction. Hemiplegia is often due to an injury or obstruction of the anterior cerebral artery. Changes in CSF production are a known age-related change and are due to atrophy of epithelial cells and thickening of the basement membrane in the choroid plexus.

A Patient Has a Spinal Cord Injury That Included Damage