USAHS Adult Exam 2 Study Guide Questions
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest
Updated 2026
Define Spinal Cord Injury Causes a disruption in the motor and
sensory
pathways at the site of the lesion. The
injury is
defined by both the severity and location of
the
injury.
ASIA A Complete; no motor or sensory function is
preserved in sacral segments S4-5.
ASIA B Incomplete; Sensory but no motor function
is
preserves below neurological level.
ASIA C Incomplete; Motor function is preserved
below the
neurological level and more than half of
the key
muscles below the level of injury have a
muscle
grade of less than 3.
,ASIA D Incomplete; Motor function is preserved
below the
neurological level and more than half of
the key
muscles below the level of injury have a
muscle
grade of 3 or greater.
ASIA E Normal motor and sensory function.
Central Cord Syndrome An injury to the central structures of the
spinal cord
that produces sacral sensory sparing and
greater
weakness in the upper limbs than in the
lower
limbs.
Anterior Cord Syndrome An incomplete spinal injury in which all
functions
are absent below the level of injury except
proprioception and sensation.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome An incomplete spinal cord injury where half
of the
cord has been damaged. Exhibit more loss
of
motor and proprioceptive ipsilateral to
injury and
loss of pain and sense of temperature on
contralateral side.
,Conus Medullaris Syndrome Injury to the sacral cord resulting in flaccid
paralysis of the LE.
Cauda Equina Syndrome Injury to the lumbar and sacral nerve roots
results
in flaccid-type paralysis. Pattern of
paralysis varies.
Autonomic Dysreflexia A sudden dangerous increase in blood
pressure is
a possibility life-threatening complication
associated with lesions at the T6 level or
above.
Brought on by an unopposed sympathetic
response to noxious stimuli. Primary
Symptoms:
hypertension, pounding headache,
sweating.
Postural Hypotension A sudden drop in blood pressure occurring
when a
person assumes an upright position.
Aggravated by
prolonged bed rest. Symptoms: light
headedness,
dizziness, may faint on moving from
supine to
upright. Patients may benefit from wearing
elastic
compression stockings and abdominal
binders.
, Pressure Ulcers Caused by constant pressure by
maintaining a
static position without shifting weight. All
patients
must be placed on weight-shifting
pressure-relief
schedules. All insensate bony areas must
be
inspected daily. Recommended weight
shifting:
when seated -- weight shift at least one
minute
every hour. when in bed -- change position
every 2
hours initially. Increase as tolerated.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Formation of a blood clot, most often in the
lower
extremity, abdomen, or pelvis. May
develop further,
dislodge from the venous wall, and turn
into an
embolus. Therapist is apart of the team
that
monitors for asymmetries in color, size,
and/or
temperature. Treatment involves best rest
and
anticoagulants to prevent embolus.
and Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest
Updated 2026
Define Spinal Cord Injury Causes a disruption in the motor and
sensory
pathways at the site of the lesion. The
injury is
defined by both the severity and location of
the
injury.
ASIA A Complete; no motor or sensory function is
preserved in sacral segments S4-5.
ASIA B Incomplete; Sensory but no motor function
is
preserves below neurological level.
ASIA C Incomplete; Motor function is preserved
below the
neurological level and more than half of
the key
muscles below the level of injury have a
muscle
grade of less than 3.
,ASIA D Incomplete; Motor function is preserved
below the
neurological level and more than half of
the key
muscles below the level of injury have a
muscle
grade of 3 or greater.
ASIA E Normal motor and sensory function.
Central Cord Syndrome An injury to the central structures of the
spinal cord
that produces sacral sensory sparing and
greater
weakness in the upper limbs than in the
lower
limbs.
Anterior Cord Syndrome An incomplete spinal injury in which all
functions
are absent below the level of injury except
proprioception and sensation.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome An incomplete spinal cord injury where half
of the
cord has been damaged. Exhibit more loss
of
motor and proprioceptive ipsilateral to
injury and
loss of pain and sense of temperature on
contralateral side.
,Conus Medullaris Syndrome Injury to the sacral cord resulting in flaccid
paralysis of the LE.
Cauda Equina Syndrome Injury to the lumbar and sacral nerve roots
results
in flaccid-type paralysis. Pattern of
paralysis varies.
Autonomic Dysreflexia A sudden dangerous increase in blood
pressure is
a possibility life-threatening complication
associated with lesions at the T6 level or
above.
Brought on by an unopposed sympathetic
response to noxious stimuli. Primary
Symptoms:
hypertension, pounding headache,
sweating.
Postural Hypotension A sudden drop in blood pressure occurring
when a
person assumes an upright position.
Aggravated by
prolonged bed rest. Symptoms: light
headedness,
dizziness, may faint on moving from
supine to
upright. Patients may benefit from wearing
elastic
compression stockings and abdominal
binders.
, Pressure Ulcers Caused by constant pressure by
maintaining a
static position without shifting weight. All
patients
must be placed on weight-shifting
pressure-relief
schedules. All insensate bony areas must
be
inspected daily. Recommended weight
shifting:
when seated -- weight shift at least one
minute
every hour. when in bed -- change position
every 2
hours initially. Increase as tolerated.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Formation of a blood clot, most often in the
lower
extremity, abdomen, or pelvis. May
develop further,
dislodge from the venous wall, and turn
into an
embolus. Therapist is apart of the team
that
monitors for asymmetries in color, size,
and/or
temperature. Treatment involves best rest
and
anticoagulants to prevent embolus.
