FISDAP EXAM 4 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT!!!
Question 1
What are the primary signs and symptoms associated with a patient who has a
pre-existing spinal cord injury experiencing a medical emergency?
A. Hypertension, severe bradycardia, autonomic dysreflexia, impaired
thermoregulation, and neurogenic bowel/bladder dysfunction
B. Sudden onset of hyperthermia, tachycardia, hypoglycemia, and acute
pulmonary edema
C. Unilateral focal paralysis, expressive aphasia, visual field loss, and
hyperreflexia
D. Muscle spasticity, hypocapnia, metabolic alkalosis, and localized
hyperhidrosis
Answer: A. Hypertension, severe bradycardia, autonomic dysreflexia,
impaired thermoregulation, and neurogenic bowel/bladder dysfunction
Explanation: Patients with pre-existing spinal cord injuries (especially injuries at
or above T6) present with unique baseline alterations and potential life-threatening
emergencies:
Autonomic Dysreflexia (Hyperreflexia): A sudden, uninhibited
sympathetic response triggered by a noxious stimulus below the lesion level
(e.g., distended bladder, fecal impaction). It presents with severe
hypertension, pounding headache, bradycardia, and flushing/sweating
above the lesion site.
Impaired Thermoregulation (Poikilothermia): The loss of sympathetic
tone prevents normal shivering or sweating below the level of injury,
causing body temperature to match ambient surroundings.
Neurogenic Bowel & Bladder: Loss of voluntary autonomic bladder and
rectal sphincter control, predisposing patients to urinary retention, severe
, constipation, or urinary tract infections (a common trigger for sepsis and
autonomic dysreflexia).
Chronic Neurological Findings: Spasticity, muscle atrophy, or loss of
sensation below the lesion level.
Signs and Symptoms of a patient with DKA
- No insulin --> BGL rises with fast onset
- Body switches to fat catabolism --> ketones
- Kussmaul's respirations
- Ketones on breath
- BGL - 500mg/dL
-Treatment --> give fluids and transport
Medical Emergencies:
Identifying and treating a patient with hypoglycemia
BGL < 60, treat with oral sugar (if conscious), IV Dextrose, or IM glucagon
Medical Emergencies
Signs and Symptoms of a patient with tuberculosis
- Highly contagious, but treatable, airborne bacterial infection
S/S:
- Fatigue
- Fever and night sweats
- Chills
- Chronic cough and hemoptysis
- weight loss
Management:
- high index of suspicion based on s/s
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 100% CORRECT!!!
Question 1
What are the primary signs and symptoms associated with a patient who has a
pre-existing spinal cord injury experiencing a medical emergency?
A. Hypertension, severe bradycardia, autonomic dysreflexia, impaired
thermoregulation, and neurogenic bowel/bladder dysfunction
B. Sudden onset of hyperthermia, tachycardia, hypoglycemia, and acute
pulmonary edema
C. Unilateral focal paralysis, expressive aphasia, visual field loss, and
hyperreflexia
D. Muscle spasticity, hypocapnia, metabolic alkalosis, and localized
hyperhidrosis
Answer: A. Hypertension, severe bradycardia, autonomic dysreflexia,
impaired thermoregulation, and neurogenic bowel/bladder dysfunction
Explanation: Patients with pre-existing spinal cord injuries (especially injuries at
or above T6) present with unique baseline alterations and potential life-threatening
emergencies:
Autonomic Dysreflexia (Hyperreflexia): A sudden, uninhibited
sympathetic response triggered by a noxious stimulus below the lesion level
(e.g., distended bladder, fecal impaction). It presents with severe
hypertension, pounding headache, bradycardia, and flushing/sweating
above the lesion site.
Impaired Thermoregulation (Poikilothermia): The loss of sympathetic
tone prevents normal shivering or sweating below the level of injury,
causing body temperature to match ambient surroundings.
Neurogenic Bowel & Bladder: Loss of voluntary autonomic bladder and
rectal sphincter control, predisposing patients to urinary retention, severe
, constipation, or urinary tract infections (a common trigger for sepsis and
autonomic dysreflexia).
Chronic Neurological Findings: Spasticity, muscle atrophy, or loss of
sensation below the lesion level.
Signs and Symptoms of a patient with DKA
- No insulin --> BGL rises with fast onset
- Body switches to fat catabolism --> ketones
- Kussmaul's respirations
- Ketones on breath
- BGL - 500mg/dL
-Treatment --> give fluids and transport
Medical Emergencies:
Identifying and treating a patient with hypoglycemia
BGL < 60, treat with oral sugar (if conscious), IV Dextrose, or IM glucagon
Medical Emergencies
Signs and Symptoms of a patient with tuberculosis
- Highly contagious, but treatable, airborne bacterial infection
S/S:
- Fatigue
- Fever and night sweats
- Chills
- Chronic cough and hemoptysis
- weight loss
Management:
- high index of suspicion based on s/s
