NCS Spinal Cord Injury

Question 1

What is the difference between complete and incomplete spinal cord injury?

Accepted Answer

Complete means total loss of function below the injury; incomplete means some function is preserved

Answer

Complete injuries have no motor or sensory function below the level; incomplete injuries retain some function.

Question 2

What is spinal shock?

Accepted Answer

Temporary loss of all spinal cord function below the injury level immediately after trauma

Answer

Spinal shock is a transient loss of all neurological function below the injury that can last days to weeks.

Question 3

What is autonomic dysreflexia?

Accepted Answer

A life-threatening condition in SCI above T6 where noxious stimuli cause dangerous hypertension

Answer

Autonomic dysreflexia requires immediate identification and removal of the triggering stimulus (often bladder distension or bowel impaction).

Question 4

What is neurogenic bladder?

Accepted Answer

Bladder dysfunction resulting from damage to the nervous system controlling urination

Answer

SCI disrupts the neural pathways controlling bladder function, requiring management strategies like intermittent catheterization.

Question 5

What are the levels of SCI and their functional implications?

Accepted Answer

Cervical injuries affect arms and legs (tetraplegia); thoracic/lumbar injuries affect legs (paraplegia)

Answer

The level of injury determines which body functions are affected below that point.

(NCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist Practice Test