2026/2027 Med Surg Chapter 29: Spinal Cord Injury Questions
with Answers and Rationales., Exams of Nursing
Med Surg Chapter 29: Spinal Cord Injury Questions with Answers and
Rationales., Exams of Nursing
1. A nurse explains that the spinal cord extends from the brainstem to the
level of which vertebra?
a. Last thoracic
b. Second lumbar
c. First sacral
d. Coccygeal - ANSWERANS: B
The cord starts at the brainstem and extends to the second lumbar vertebra.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 510 OBJ: N/A
TOP: Anatomy and Physiology of the Central Nervous System (CNS)
KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
2. On admission to the emergency department, a patient with a C5
compression fracture can move only his head and has flaccid paralysis of all
extremities. The distraught family asks if the paralysis is permanent. What is
the best response by the nurse?
a. "Yes. In all likelihood, the paralysis is probably permanent."
b. "No. Significant recovery of function should occur in a few days."
,2026/2027 Med Surg Chapter 29: Spinal Cord Injury Questions
with Answers and Rationales., Exams of Nursing
c. "It is too early to tell. When the spinal shock subsides, we will know more."
d. "You should talk to your physician about things of that nature." -
ANSWERANS: C
Spinal shock caused by swelling may last from a few days to months, clouding
the issue of the true extent of the injury.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 516 OBJ: 3
TOP: Spinal Shock KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
3. Which assessment would indicate the resolution of spinal shock?
a. Extension and rigidity in affected limbs
b. Spastic involuntary movements in affected limbs
c. Tingling and burning in affected limbs
d. Voluntary purposeful movements of affected limbs - ANSWERANS: B
Spastic involuntary movements after a period of flaccid paralysis announce
the end of spinal shock.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 516 OBJ: 3
TOP: Resolution of Spinal Shock KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
4. Which assessment leads the emergency department nurse to suspect that
a patient's spinal cord injury (SCI) is below C4?
a. Voluntary eye movement
b. Ability to blink the eyelids
c. Unlabored respiration
d. Ability to make a facial grimace - ANSWERANS: C
, 2026/2027 Med Surg Chapter 29: Spinal Cord Injury Questions
with Answers and Rationales., Exams of Nursing
The phrenic nerve, which is at C1 to C4, controls the diaphragm and
intercostal function for ventilation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 516 OBJ: 3
TOP: Level of SCIs KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
5. During a neurologic assessment, a nurse asks a patient to dorsiflex the foot
against the resistance of the nurse's hand. The patient is unable to perform
this action. Where does this assessment confirm that cord damage has
occurred?
a. C4 to C5
b. L2 to L4
c. L5
d. S1 - ANSWERANS: C
The muscle group that controls the feet is at L5.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 515-517 OBJ: 2
TOP: Neurologic Assessment KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
6. What technique should the nurse implement to move the impaired legs of
a patient with an SCI to avoid stimulation muscle spasm?
a. Firmly grasping the calf muscle and the thigh muscle
b. Manipulating the limb by supporting the knee and ankle joints
c. Holding the foot upright and slowly dragging the limb into position
d. Requesting assistance to support the calf and thigh - ANSWERANS: B
with Answers and Rationales., Exams of Nursing
Med Surg Chapter 29: Spinal Cord Injury Questions with Answers and
Rationales., Exams of Nursing
1. A nurse explains that the spinal cord extends from the brainstem to the
level of which vertebra?
a. Last thoracic
b. Second lumbar
c. First sacral
d. Coccygeal - ANSWERANS: B
The cord starts at the brainstem and extends to the second lumbar vertebra.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 510 OBJ: N/A
TOP: Anatomy and Physiology of the Central Nervous System (CNS)
KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
2. On admission to the emergency department, a patient with a C5
compression fracture can move only his head and has flaccid paralysis of all
extremities. The distraught family asks if the paralysis is permanent. What is
the best response by the nurse?
a. "Yes. In all likelihood, the paralysis is probably permanent."
b. "No. Significant recovery of function should occur in a few days."
,2026/2027 Med Surg Chapter 29: Spinal Cord Injury Questions
with Answers and Rationales., Exams of Nursing
c. "It is too early to tell. When the spinal shock subsides, we will know more."
d. "You should talk to your physician about things of that nature." -
ANSWERANS: C
Spinal shock caused by swelling may last from a few days to months, clouding
the issue of the true extent of the injury.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 516 OBJ: 3
TOP: Spinal Shock KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
3. Which assessment would indicate the resolution of spinal shock?
a. Extension and rigidity in affected limbs
b. Spastic involuntary movements in affected limbs
c. Tingling and burning in affected limbs
d. Voluntary purposeful movements of affected limbs - ANSWERANS: B
Spastic involuntary movements after a period of flaccid paralysis announce
the end of spinal shock.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 516 OBJ: 3
TOP: Resolution of Spinal Shock KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
4. Which assessment leads the emergency department nurse to suspect that
a patient's spinal cord injury (SCI) is below C4?
a. Voluntary eye movement
b. Ability to blink the eyelids
c. Unlabored respiration
d. Ability to make a facial grimace - ANSWERANS: C
, 2026/2027 Med Surg Chapter 29: Spinal Cord Injury Questions
with Answers and Rationales., Exams of Nursing
The phrenic nerve, which is at C1 to C4, controls the diaphragm and
intercostal function for ventilation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 516 OBJ: 3
TOP: Level of SCIs KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
5. During a neurologic assessment, a nurse asks a patient to dorsiflex the foot
against the resistance of the nurse's hand. The patient is unable to perform
this action. Where does this assessment confirm that cord damage has
occurred?
a. C4 to C5
b. L2 to L4
c. L5
d. S1 - ANSWERANS: C
The muscle group that controls the feet is at L5.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 515-517 OBJ: 2
TOP: Neurologic Assessment KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
6. What technique should the nurse implement to move the impaired legs of
a patient with an SCI to avoid stimulation muscle spasm?
a. Firmly grasping the calf muscle and the thigh muscle
b. Manipulating the limb by supporting the knee and ankle joints
c. Holding the foot upright and slowly dragging the limb into position
d. Requesting assistance to support the calf and thigh - ANSWERANS: B
