Why is the edema of the upper cervical cord after spinal cord injury considered life threatening?
A) Because of hypovolemic shock from blood lost during the injury
B) Because of the apnea from the impairment to the diaphragm
C) Because a head injury is more likely to occur during the injury
D) Because of the spinal shock immediately after the injury

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Edema of the upper cervical cord after spinal cord injury can lead to impaired diaphragmatic function and apnea, which can be life threatening. This is because the diaphragm is responsible for breathing and if it becomes paralyzed due to the injury, the person may require immediate mechanical ventilation to survive.

Why Is the Edema of the Upper Cervical Cord After