What effect will a complete injury above C3-C5 have on a patient's spontaneous ventilation?
A) complete diaphragmatic paralysis would result -patient would require mechanical ventilation
B) partial diaphragmatic paralysis would result -patient would initially require mechanical ventilation
C) patient would require supplemental oxygen but would still be able to breathe spontaneously
D) ventilation would be unaffected since the respiratory centers are safely located in the brain

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A complete injury above C3-C5 would result in complete diaphragmatic paralysis, as the phrenic nerve that controls the diaphragm arises from C3-C5. As a result, the patient would require mechanical ventilation to breathe since they would be unable to do so on their own.

What Effect Will a Complete Injury Above C3-C5 Have on a Patient's