Medical & Psychosocial Aspects of Disability Flashcards

A client with a complete C6 spinal cord injury would most likely retain which functional ability?

Answer: Wrist extension enabling a tenodesis grasp

C6 preserves the wrist extensors, which allow a tenodesis grasp, while triceps (C7) and finger flexors (C8) are not preserved.

A client with a T4 spinal cord injury suddenly reports a pounding headache, flushing above the injury, and very high blood pressure. What should be done first?

Answer: Sit the client upright and look for a noxious stimulus such as a full bladder

Autonomic dysreflexia is a medical emergency in injuries at T6 or above, managed by sitting the person upright and removing the trigger.

Which disease course is most common at the initial diagnosis of multiple sclerosis?

Answer: Relapsing-remitting

About 85% of people with MS are first diagnosed with a relapsing-remitting course.

An employee with MS reports that symptoms get worse in a hot warehouse. Which accommodation best addresses this?

Answer: Moving to a climate-controlled work area or providing cooling equipment

Heat sensitivity (Uhthoff's phenomenon) temporarily worsens MS symptoms, so temperature control is the most direct accommodation.

The Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning scale is mainly used to:

Answer: Track cognitive and behavioral recovery after a traumatic brain injury

The Rancho scale describes stages of cognitive and behavioral recovery after a TBI, from no response to purposeful, appropriate behavior.

Which description best fits amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

Answer: Progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, usually with sensation preserved

ALS destroys upper and lower motor neurons, while sensation and bowel and bladder control are usually spared.

Which tremor is typical of Parkinson's disease?

Answer: A resting tremor that lessens with voluntary movement

Parkinson's disease classically causes a 'pill-rolling' resting tremor that decreases with purposeful movement.