A patient who sustained a cervical spinal cord injury 2 days ago suddenly develops severe headache and blurred vision. What should the healthcare professional do?
A)Give the patient a glass of cool water.
B)Give the patient some pain medication.
C)Take the patient's blood pressure and pulse.
D)Facilitate the patient having a head CT scan.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This patient is most likely experiencing autonomic hyperreflexia, which is characterized by paroxysmal hypertension, a pounding headache, blurred vision, sweating above the level of the lesion with flushing, nasal congestion, nausea, piloerection, and bradycardia. The healthcare professional would recognize the symptoms and take the patient's blood pressure and pulse. Autonomic hyperreflexia is an emergency, so giving the patient cool water, pain medication, or facilitating a CT scan are not appropriate.

A Patient Who Sustained a Cervical Spinal Cord Injury 2