EMST / ATLS CH 7 SPINE AND SPINAL
CORD EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% CORRECT!
, What percentage of pt with spinal injury have at least a mild brain injury - ANSWER at
least 25%
what percentage of injuries occur in each part of the spine - ANSWER cervical 55%,
thoracic 15%, thoracolumbar junction 15%, lumbosacral 15%
what do approx 10% of pt with c spine fracture have - ANSWER second non contiguous
vertebral column fracture
why do at least 5% of pts experience onset of neuro sx after reaching ED - ANSWER
ishcaemia, or progression of spinal for oedema, or failure to adequately immobilise.
how to exclude spinal injury if pt awake and alert - ANSWER neurologically intact, no
pain or tenderness along spine
risk of prolonged immobilisation - ANSWER pressure sores (decubitus ulcers) - so
come off the spinal board and log roll every two hours
components of spinal stability - ANSWER facet joints, interspinous ligaments,
paraspinal muscles
why do some c spine injury pts die at the scene - ANSWER apnea from loss of phrenic
nerve
what type are most thoracic fractures - ANSWER wedge compression - not associated
with spinal cord injury usually, but fracture dislocation has high chance of complete
spinal cord injury
three spinal cord tracts that can be clinically assessed - ANSWER corticospinal
(posterolateral) - ipsilateral motor power, spinothalamic (anterolateral) - contralateral
pain and temperature, posterior columns - proprioception, vibration
how to demonstrate sacral sparing - ANSWER sensory perception in perianal area, or
voluntary contraction of anal sphincter
Key sensory points - C5, C6, C7 - ANSWER C5- area over deltoid. C6 Thumb. C7
Middle finger
Key sensory points C8 T4 T8 T10 - ANSWER C8 little finger. T4 Nipple. T8 xiphisterum.
T10 umbilicus
CORD EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% CORRECT!
, What percentage of pt with spinal injury have at least a mild brain injury - ANSWER at
least 25%
what percentage of injuries occur in each part of the spine - ANSWER cervical 55%,
thoracic 15%, thoracolumbar junction 15%, lumbosacral 15%
what do approx 10% of pt with c spine fracture have - ANSWER second non contiguous
vertebral column fracture
why do at least 5% of pts experience onset of neuro sx after reaching ED - ANSWER
ishcaemia, or progression of spinal for oedema, or failure to adequately immobilise.
how to exclude spinal injury if pt awake and alert - ANSWER neurologically intact, no
pain or tenderness along spine
risk of prolonged immobilisation - ANSWER pressure sores (decubitus ulcers) - so
come off the spinal board and log roll every two hours
components of spinal stability - ANSWER facet joints, interspinous ligaments,
paraspinal muscles
why do some c spine injury pts die at the scene - ANSWER apnea from loss of phrenic
nerve
what type are most thoracic fractures - ANSWER wedge compression - not associated
with spinal cord injury usually, but fracture dislocation has high chance of complete
spinal cord injury
three spinal cord tracts that can be clinically assessed - ANSWER corticospinal
(posterolateral) - ipsilateral motor power, spinothalamic (anterolateral) - contralateral
pain and temperature, posterior columns - proprioception, vibration
how to demonstrate sacral sparing - ANSWER sensory perception in perianal area, or
voluntary contraction of anal sphincter
Key sensory points - C5, C6, C7 - ANSWER C5- area over deltoid. C6 Thumb. C7
Middle finger
Key sensory points C8 T4 T8 T10 - ANSWER C8 little finger. T4 Nipple. T8 xiphisterum.
T10 umbilicus
