A patient is diagnosed with damage to the spinothalamic tract of the spinal cord.Which assessment finding would the nurse attribute to this damage?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The spinothalamic tract is responsible for the transmission of pain and temperature sensation. Damage to this tract can result in a decrease in or loss of pain sensation, but in some cases, it can also result in an increase in pain sensation (known as hyperalgesia or allodynia). Therefore, the patient reporting an unusual amount of pain would be the assessment finding most likely attributed to damage to the spinothalamic tract. Muscle spasms (B), ataxia (C), and vertigo (D) are not typically associated with damage to this tract.

A Patient Is Diagnosed with Damage to the Spinothalamic Tract