The nurse suspects that a patient with a spinal cord injury is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia. Which findings will help the nurse determine the cause for this condition?

Question

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Autonomic dysreflexia is characterized by an exaggerated response of the autonomic nervous system to a noxious stimulus below the level of injury in patients with spinal cord injury. Causes can include a kinked catheter tubing or fecal impaction, which can stimulate the bowel or bladder and trigger the autonomic dysreflexia response. Hypertension may be a symptom of autonomic dysreflexia, but it does not help determine the cause. Respiratory wheezes and stridor are not typically associated with autonomic dysreflexia. Diarrhea may be a symptom of autonomic dysreflexia, but it does not help determine the cause.

The Nurse Suspects That a Patient with a Spinal Cord