Question 1

____ is a numbness or "pins and needles" sensation located in the skin territory of the perineum between the legs, the external genitalia, and the anus.

Accepted Answer

Saddle anesthesia is a numbness or "pins and needles" sensation located in the skin territory of the perineum between the legs, the external genitalia, and the anus. It is named for the area of the body that would come into contact with a saddle if a person were to sit on a horse.

Question 2

When spinal cord compression occurs in the lumbar spine, it is called ____ syndrome.

Accepted Answer

Lumbar spinal cord compression that affects the nerve roots after they leave the spinal cord and form the cauda equina is known as cauda equina syndrome. It can lead to symptoms such as bladder and bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, numbness and weakness in the legs, and severe back pain.

Question 3

A patient who has a ruptured aortic aneurysm needs to be in a facility with ____ services that can repair the aorta.

Accepted Answer

A ruptured aortic aneurysm requires immediate medical attention and surgical intervention. Vascular surgery services are specifically designed to repair and manage conditions related to blood vessels, such as aortic aneurysms. Emergency and intensive care services may also be necessary, but the primary concern for this condition is the availability of vascular surgery services. Transplant surgery is not typically necessary for a ruptured aortic aneurysm.

Question 4

____ typically occur from calcium that builds up in the kidney over time.

Accepted Answer

Kidney stones are solid crystals that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain and discomfort when passing through the urinary tract. They are typically caused by high levels of calcium, oxalate, or uric acid in the urine. Stenosis refers to the narrowing of a blood vessel or other tubular structure, diskitis is a spine infection, and osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle.

Question 5

Musculoskeletal back pain is by far the most common cause for back pain.

Accepted Answer

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, musculoskeletal back pain is the most common cause of back pain.

Question 6

During an examination to determine muscle strength in the presence of back pain, differences in strength between the two legs that may indicate central cord compression.

Accepted Answer

Muscle strength testing in the legs is not a specific indicator of central cord compression in the back. Other signs and symptoms, such as sensory changes, reflex abnormalities, and motor weakness in the arms, may provide more clues to this condition.

Question 7

____ is a change in the structure of the bones that makes them more brittle.

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis is a medical condition where the bones become less dense and more brittle, making them more prone to fractures and breaks.

Question 8

At approximately the level of the ____ vertebrae, the spinal cord separates into individual spinal nerves.

Accepted Answer

The spinal cord typically ends at the level of the second lumbar vertebra (L2), where it tapers into the conus medullaris and then separates into individual spinal nerves known as the cauda equina.

Question 9

Infections that occur in the disk are known as ____.

Accepted Answer

Infections that occur in the disk are known as diskitis.

Question 10

In general, patients who have nontraumatic back pain require spinal motion restriction with a cervical collar or a long spine board to ensure there is no further injury.

Accepted Answer

Spinal motion restriction with a cervical collar or a long spine board is no longer recommended for patients with nontraumatic back pain. In fact, early mobilization and exercise are recommended for most patients with acute or subacute nontraumatic back pain.

Question 11

____ agents are stronger medications that can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously to provide analgesia.

Accepted Answer

Opioids are stronger medications than NSAIDs, SAS, and Valium that can provide analgesia through intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous administration.

Question 12

The spinal column is made up of ____ vertebrae that both support the human while walking upright and protect the spinal cord.

Accepted Answer

The human spinal column is made up of 33 vertebrae, which include 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused into the sacrum), and 4 coccygeal (fused into the coccyx), providing both support for upright walking and protection for the spinal cord.

Question 13

Most often nontraumatic back pain occurs as a result of ____.

Accepted Answer

Nontraumatic back pain most often occurs as a result of muscle strain, which can be caused by poor posture, lifting heavy objects, or sudden movements. Disk herniation, caudia equina, and disk degeneration are also potential causes of nontraumatic back pain, but they are less common than muscle strain.

Question 14

For a patient who is believed to be septic, the blood pressure should be supported with up to 2 liters of ____ as a means of resuscitating the patient.

Accepted Answer

Normal saline is the standard resuscitation fluid used for septic patients as it helps to restore intravascular volume and correct electrolyte imbalances. Distilled water and sugar water are not appropriate for resuscitation as they do not have the necessary electrolytes and can cause dangerous shifts in osmolality. Plasma may be used in certain cases but is typically reserved for patients with coagulopathies or low protein levels.

Question 15

As humans age, many people will develop minor disk ____, commonly known as bulging disks, that often do not cause pain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As humans age, many people will develop...

Question 16

____ is an infection of the kidney and can produce back pain.

Accepted Answer

Pyelonephritis is specifically an infection of the kidney and back pain is a common symptom. The other options are infections of the spine or spinal cord and may also cause back pain, but they are not necessarily associated with kidney infections.

Question 17

____ is a narrowing of the spinal canal.

Accepted Answer

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. A compression can refer to any condition that causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, but the specific term for narrowing is spinal stenosis. Spinal abscess and diskitis are infections of the spine and are not related to narrowing of the spinal canal.

Question 18

An infection that occurs within the spinal canal is known as a(n) ____.

Accepted Answer

An infection that occurs within the spinal canal is known as an epidural abscess. A spinal abscess refers to an infection that occurs within the spine, including the bone and soft tissue. Diskitis is an infection of the intervertebral disk. Osteoabscess refers to an abscess of bone.

Question 19

Lumbar pain affects an estimated 85% of adults under the age of 50 years old, and approximately 20% of Americans suffer from lower back pain annually.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true based on statistics and research studies.

Question 20

There is little room between the bony surface of the vertebral canal and the spinal cord.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The vertebral canal is the bony passageway that contains and protects the spinal cord as it runs through the spinal column. The spinal cord is surrounded by the cerebrospinal fluid and has little room for additional structures or movement within the canal.

Quiz 24: Back Pain