NUR 213- UNIT 4 EXAM | 112 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTION
What are the different mechanisms of injury related to spinal cord injuries?
Answer - Hyperflexion - most common natural protective position can cause
the neck to be unstable because of stretching of ligaments.
Hyperextension- caused by chin hitting a surface, such as dashboard/ bathtub,
usually causes central cord syndrome S&S
Whiplash
Axial Loading: caused by the force from above, like hit on head or diving or
from below like landing on buttocks or feet.
Excessive rotation: head excessively turned, may tear ligaments, fracture
articular surfaces, and cause compression fractures.
What are risk factors related to spinal cord injuries? Answer - Participation in
high risk physical activities. (speeding while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs)
Not using protective gear in sports or recreational activities.
Falls in the older population
,MVA (56%)
Falls (14%)
Acts of Violence/ Guns (9%)
Sports Injuries (7%)
Complete vs Incomplete Spinal Injury Answer - Complete
- irreversible
- loss of sensory, motor and autonomic function function below the level of
injury.
Incomplete
- some function preserved below the primary injury
- central cord syndrome
- anterior cord syndrome
- posterior cord syndrome
- brown- sequard syndrome.
What is central cord syndrome? Answer - This is the most common
hyperextension with central swelling.
Clinical manifestations include:
- functional motor loss greater in arms and legs.
- bladder dysfunction.
,- variable loss of sensation.
What is anterior cord syndrome? Answer - This is the anterior compression
from bony fragments or acute disk herniation.
Clinical Manifestations include:
- loss of motor function
- pain
- temperature
- Crude tach and pressure below injury.
- Preserved Proprioception, fine touch/ pressure and vibrationi.
What tis Posterior Cord Syndrome? Answer - This is an acute compression.
Clinical Manifestations include:
- loss of proprioception
- fine touch/ pressure and vibration.
- intact pain, temperature and crude touch/pressure.
What is brown sequard syndrome? Answer - This is the hemisection of spinal
cord from penetrating injury or primary ischemia, infection or hemorrhagic
event.
Clinical Manifestations include:
- Ipsilateral (same side as injury) loss of motor function.
- proprioception.
- vibration.
, - Contralateral (opposite side of injury) loss of pain and temp.
What are the neurologic levels of injury? Answer - C3-C4 may be ventilator
dependent because of loss of innervation of the diaphragm.
Quadriplegia/ Tetraplegia: Cervical Spine Injury.
Paraplegia: Thoracic or Lumbar Injury.
Lumbar/Sacral Injuries decreased control of legs, bowel/bladder and sexual
function.
Other S&S: Chronic pain, low BP, inability to sweat, decreased temp control.
Thoracic injuries have poor trunk control.
How do we diagnose a spinal cord injury? Answer - ***make sure the spine is
immobilized with a cervical collar and backboard to prevent further damage.
Neuro Exam
Standard XRay
CT scan
MRI
UA
Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
ABGs
CBC
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTION
What are the different mechanisms of injury related to spinal cord injuries?
Answer - Hyperflexion - most common natural protective position can cause
the neck to be unstable because of stretching of ligaments.
Hyperextension- caused by chin hitting a surface, such as dashboard/ bathtub,
usually causes central cord syndrome S&S
Whiplash
Axial Loading: caused by the force from above, like hit on head or diving or
from below like landing on buttocks or feet.
Excessive rotation: head excessively turned, may tear ligaments, fracture
articular surfaces, and cause compression fractures.
What are risk factors related to spinal cord injuries? Answer - Participation in
high risk physical activities. (speeding while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs)
Not using protective gear in sports or recreational activities.
Falls in the older population
,MVA (56%)
Falls (14%)
Acts of Violence/ Guns (9%)
Sports Injuries (7%)
Complete vs Incomplete Spinal Injury Answer - Complete
- irreversible
- loss of sensory, motor and autonomic function function below the level of
injury.
Incomplete
- some function preserved below the primary injury
- central cord syndrome
- anterior cord syndrome
- posterior cord syndrome
- brown- sequard syndrome.
What is central cord syndrome? Answer - This is the most common
hyperextension with central swelling.
Clinical manifestations include:
- functional motor loss greater in arms and legs.
- bladder dysfunction.
,- variable loss of sensation.
What is anterior cord syndrome? Answer - This is the anterior compression
from bony fragments or acute disk herniation.
Clinical Manifestations include:
- loss of motor function
- pain
- temperature
- Crude tach and pressure below injury.
- Preserved Proprioception, fine touch/ pressure and vibrationi.
What tis Posterior Cord Syndrome? Answer - This is an acute compression.
Clinical Manifestations include:
- loss of proprioception
- fine touch/ pressure and vibration.
- intact pain, temperature and crude touch/pressure.
What is brown sequard syndrome? Answer - This is the hemisection of spinal
cord from penetrating injury or primary ischemia, infection or hemorrhagic
event.
Clinical Manifestations include:
- Ipsilateral (same side as injury) loss of motor function.
- proprioception.
- vibration.
, - Contralateral (opposite side of injury) loss of pain and temp.
What are the neurologic levels of injury? Answer - C3-C4 may be ventilator
dependent because of loss of innervation of the diaphragm.
Quadriplegia/ Tetraplegia: Cervical Spine Injury.
Paraplegia: Thoracic or Lumbar Injury.
Lumbar/Sacral Injuries decreased control of legs, bowel/bladder and sexual
function.
Other S&S: Chronic pain, low BP, inability to sweat, decreased temp control.
Thoracic injuries have poor trunk control.
How do we diagnose a spinal cord injury? Answer - ***make sure the spine is
immobilized with a cervical collar and backboard to prevent further damage.
Neuro Exam
Standard XRay
CT scan
MRI
UA
Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
ABGs
CBC
