Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Practice Flashcards

Flashcards covering medical definitions, assessment parameters, and treatment protocols for Spinal Cord Injuries based on lecture notes.

Hyperflexion

A sudden and forceful acceleration (movement) of the head forward, causing extreme flexion of the neck.

Hyperextension

A mechanism of injury where the head is suddenly accelerated and then decelerated.

Axial loading

Horizontal compression injuries caused by diving accidents, falls on the buttocks, or jumping and landing on the feet.

Excessive rotation

An injury mechanism resulting from turning the head beyond its normal range.

Penetrating trauma

SCI classified by the speed of the object, such as a knife or bullet, causing the injury.

Spinal shock

An immediate response to cord injury involving a complete but temporary loss of motor, sensory, reflex, and autonomic function, usually lasting less than $48\,\text{hours}$.

Cervical SCI ($C3-5$) risk

The levels at which a patient is at high risk for respiratory compromise.

Systolic BP under $90\,\text{mm Hg}$

The blood pressure threshold that requires treatment in SCI patients to prevent worsening spinal cord condition due to lack of perfusion.

Paralytic ileus

A condition where the intestines temporarily stop moving, typically occurring $72\,\text{hours}$ after an SCI.

Heterotopic ossification (HO)

Bony overgrowth, often into muscle, characterized by swelling, redness (hyperpigmentation), warmth, and decreased range of motion.

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) causes

Common triggers including full bladder/bladder distention, UTI, constipation/bowel impaction, tight clothing, pain, temperature changes, and hemorrhoids.

Neurogenic Shock

Condition occurring within $24\,\text{hours}$ (most common in injuries above $T6$) characterized by hypotension, temperature dysregulation, bradycardia, and inability to sweat below the level of injury.

Dextran

A medication used to treat hypotension in the context of neurogenic shock.

Atropine sulfate

A medication used specifically to treat bradycardia in neurogenic shock.

Jaw thrust maneuver

The required method for opening a patient's airway with index fingers instead of head tilt to keep the spine stable.

Spinal fusion monitoring

Neurologic status and vital signs assessment every hour for the first $4$ to $6\,\text{hours}$, then every $4\,\text{hours}$ if stable.

Halo Fixator

A metal ring attached to the skull with pins and connected to a vest, used to keep the neck completely stable for $6$ to $12\,\text{weeks}$.

Pantoprazole

A Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) prescribed to SCI patients to prevent stress ulcers.

Celecoxib

A medication used to prevent or treat heterotopic ossification, though it carries an increased risk for stroke or myocardial infarction (MI).

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB)

Used specifically for the treatment of muscle spasms in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Upper motor neuron lesions

Injuries (usually cervical and high thoracic) characterized by spastic bowel and bladder function with an intact spinal reflex for elimination.

Lower motor neuron lesions

Injuries involving flaccid bowel and bladder that may require intermittent catheterization or manual pressure (disimpaction).

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

Small electrical pulses to paralyzed muscles used to restore function for exercise, breathing, grasping, standing, and walking.