A 43-year-old male has fallen from a roof and cannot move or feel his arms or legs. When assessing the patient, which one of the following signs would lead the EMT to suspect the patient is suffering from spinal shock?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Spinal shock is a temporary loss or decrease of reflexes below the level of the injury. It can last up to 48 hours and can cause a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. A heart rate of 68 beats per minute may be an indicator of spinal shock as it is lower than the patient's normal heart rate. Cool and moist skin, cyanosis to the fingertips, and seizure activity are not necessarily indicative of spinal shock.

A 43-Year-Old Male Has Fallen from a Roof and Cannot