A patient is admitted with a C5-C6 subluxation fracture.He is able to move his legs better than he can move his arms.Nursing care for the patient includes which intervention?

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Management of acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI)involves close hemodynamic monitoring.Current guidelines for the management of acute cervical SCI cite that hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg)should be avoided or corrected as soon as possible after acute SCI.It is also considered an option to maintain the mean arterial pressure (MAP)at 85 to 90 mm Hg for the first 5 to 7 days after acute SCI to improve spinal cord perfusion.The room should be kept warm to avoid hypothermia.Elevating the head of the bed will often cause hypotension and is contraindicated until additional spinal cord injuries have been ruled out.Because of the profound vasodilation found with neurogenic shock,patients should be resuscitated with both intravenous fluids and vasopressors to restore intravascular volume as well as vascular tone.

A Patient Is Admitted with a C5-C6 Subluxation Fracture