Catherine, a 22-year-old equestrian, obtained a spinal cord injury after she fell off from her horse during a routine practice. The nurse caring for her is aware that she is at risk for developing autonomic dysreflexia. The nurse would carefully monitor for which of the following manifestations?
Explanation
Answer - C - Autonomic dysreflexia can be assessed by noting the presence of severe, throbbing headache, flushed face and neck, bradycardia, and severe hypertension that is sudden in onset. Other signs to assess for are nausea, sweating, nasal stuffiness, and blurred vision. Clients who have a spinal cord injury above the level of T7 are at risk for an exaggerated autonomous response to noxious stimulus.
