Autonomic DysreflexiaUpdated 2 years ago
What is Autonomic Dysreflexia?
- occurs in clients with cord injury from the thoracic spine and higher
-on T6 and above (including cervical spine)
- affects cardiac rate and vascular tone
-bradycardia
-hypertension
Cervical and Thoracic Spine Physiology
Abdomen + lower back
Nerve Roots | Function | |
| C1 , C2,C3 | Head + neck | |
| C4 +C5 | Diaphragm | |
| C6 | Wrist/biceps | |
| C7 | Triceps | |
| C8 | Hand grip | |
| T1 , T2 | Chest + arm + hand | |
| T3, T4, T5 | Chest wall + breathing | |
| T6 , T7, T8 | Chest + abdomen | |
| Abdomen + lower back |
ETIOLOGY
- Bladder issues
- Bowel problems
- Back passage
- Boils
- Bones
- Babies
CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
- Headache
- Diaphoresis
- Hypertension
- Flushing
- Blurred vision
- Nasal obstruction
- Arrhythmia
- Nausea
- Anxiety
MANAGEMENT
Position-high fowler’s
Loosen tight clothing
Examine stimuli and control
Assess BP every 5 minutes
Stay until symptoms subside. Treat symptoms
Evaluate
NURSING PRIORITIES
- Monitor in clients with spinal cord injury at T6 or above. Assess symptoms.
- Assess for the stimuli or causes.
- Emergency Management : PLEASE
- Health teaching.
