NCLEX Review & Nursing School

Spinal Cord Injury

– occurs usually in young males, between the ages of 15- 30.

– a cervical injury or an injury above the level of C4 would cause a decrease in respiratory function.

– A pt. with cervical fracture might be placed in a traction or uses a skeletal tong.

• Types of Tongs. ♦

1. Gardner Wells
2. Crutchfield
3. Vinke

Remember : ♦ Clients in tongs need to be moved carefully as a “whole unit” (log roll)

Complications with a SCI patient:

♣ Spinal Shock

• causes a decreased heart rate.
• low BP
• flaccid paralysis

♣ Autonomic Dysreflexia or Hyperreflexia

– occurs in patients with injury in the T6 or higher.

causes the patient to have:

• Headache
• Bradycardia
• Hypertension
• Nasal Congestion
• Cold Dry