Spinal Cord Injury Case Study

Spinal Cord Injury Case Study NUR 401 Scenario: T.W. is a 22-year-old man who fell 50 feet from a chairlift while skiing and landed on hard-packed snow. He is now at the emergency department (ED) with a suspected T5-T6 fracture with paraplegia. 1. Describe a plan for implementing these physician's orders.  First, I would apply oxygen and immobilize the cervical spine. Then, I would Perform a neuro assessment. Next, I would start IVs, place ECG monitoring, foley catheter and if needed I would apply a warming blanket. 2. What are the nursing priorities at this time?  Prevent secondary damage to the spinal cord  Manage cardiovascular and pulmonary complications  Help the patient overcome psychosocial challenges associated with severe neurological deficit 3. Which assessment should you complete first? a. Assessing ability to move the extremities b. Determining pupil response to light c. Auscultating breath sounds d. Testing the peripheral reflexes 4. What other interventions would likely be done by the ED nurse?  Assess for paralytic ileus, listen to bowel sounds, palpate for bladder/bowel distension.  Perform a detailed motor and sensory examination (neuro assessment)