TNCC Spinal Cord and Vertebral Trauma 2

Question 1

A patient with a C5 spinal cord injury would be expected to retain which motor function?

Accepted Answer

Biceps function and shoulder movement

Answer

Wrist extension

Answer

Finger flexion and intrinsic hand muscles

Answer

Triceps function and elbow extension

Question 2

Spinal shock is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Temporary loss of reflexes, motor function, and sensation below the injury level

Answer

Permanent loss of all neurological function below the injury

Answer

Cardiovascular collapse from spinal cord transection

Answer

Chronic pain syndrome following spinal cord injury

Question 3

Which mechanism of injury is most associated with a Jefferson fracture (C1 burst fracture)?

Accepted Answer

Axial loading (compression) force to the top of the head

Answer

Hyperflexion of the cervical spine

Answer

Hyperextension with rotation

Answer

Lateral bending of the neck

Question 4

A patient with a T10 complete spinal cord injury is most likely to experience which bladder dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Upper motor neuron (spastic/reflex) bladder

Answer

Normal voluntary bladder control

Answer

Lower motor neuron (flaccid/areflexic) bladder

Answer

No bladder dysfunction at this level

Question 5

When logrolling a patient with a suspected spinal injury, the minimum number of personnel required is:

Accepted Answer

Four — one at the head plus three supporting the body

Answer

Two — one at the head and one at the torso

Answer

Three — one at the head directing, plus two supporting the body

Answer

One experienced nurse can safely logroll a patient alone

Question 6

Which clinical finding differentiates Brown-Sequard syndrome from other incomplete spinal cord injury patterns?

Accepted Answer

Ipsilateral motor loss and proprioception loss with contralateral pain and temperature loss

Answer

Loss of all motor and sensory function below the injury

Answer

Bilateral loss of pain and temperature with preserved motor function

Answer

Loss of motor function in upper extremities only with preserved lower extremity function