{"id":644,"date":"2021-05-12T00:51:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T00:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=644"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:52:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:52:28","slug":"nclex-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-injury-assessment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-injury-assessment","title":{"rendered":"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Spinal cord injury assessment"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-injury-assessment\/#The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX-RN%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\" >The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question is&#8230;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-injury-assessment\/#Ready_to_put_your_nursing_knowledge_to_the_test\" >Ready to put your nursing knowledge to the test?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-injury-assessment\/#Major_Takeaway\" >Major Takeaway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-injury-assessment\/#Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\" >Incorrect Answer Explanations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-injury-assessment\/#Reference\" >Reference<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae question of the day focuses spinal cord injury assessment.<\/em><\/strong> <em><strong>Do you know the answer? Let&#8217;s find out!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A client with a history of <strong>spinal cord injury (SCI)<\/strong> reports a <strong>severe headache<\/strong> and <strong>blurred vision<\/strong>. Upon assessment, the nurse notes the following: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Hypertension:_Clinical_practice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hypertension<\/a><\/strong>, <strong>bradycardia<\/strong>, and a <strong>flushed face<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which intervention should the nurse implement first?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Apply compression stockings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Lower the head of the bed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. Empty the client\u2019s bladder<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Increase the IV flow rate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Scroll down for the correct answer!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nurses Learn by Osmosis.org\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kGJCkPfFypA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u><em><strong>\u2192 Reinforce your understanding with more self-assessment items on Osmosis.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/em><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX-RN%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question is&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. Empty the client\u2019s bladder<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:\u00a0<\/strong>The client is demonstrating signs of <strong>autonomic dysreflexia<\/strong>, which is an <strong>emergency requiring immediate intervention<\/strong>. <strong>Autonomic dysreflexia<\/strong> can be caused by a <strong>distended bladder or rectum<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Urinary_tract_infections:_Pathology_review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>urinary tract infection<\/strong><\/a>, or other <strong>sensory stimulation below the level of the spinal cord lesion<\/strong>. The sensory stimulation causes a massive\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Sympathetic_nervous_system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>sympathetic discharge<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0leading to <strong>vasoconstriction and hypertension<\/strong>, while\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Baroreceptors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>baroreceptors<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in the <strong>carotid sinus<\/strong> respond by causing a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Parasympathetic_nervous_system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>parasympathetic outflow<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0above the level of the cord lesion, leading to <strong>facial flushing and bradycardia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ready_to_put_your_nursing_knowledge_to_the_test\"><\/span><em>Ready to put your nursing knowledge to the test?<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Explore the\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-smarter-prep-better-results\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NCLEX\u00ae Question of the Day<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0page to practice with <strong>NCLEX-style questions<\/strong> and <strong>boost your confidence before exam day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Takeaway\"><\/span>Major Takeaway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the main causes of <strong>autonomic dysreflexia<\/strong> in clients diagnosed with <strong>SCIs<\/strong> is a <strong>full bladder<\/strong>, so <strong>emptying the bladder<\/strong> is often an effective intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\"><\/span>Incorrect Answer Explanations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Apply compression stockings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong>: The client is demonstrating signs of <strong>autonomic dysreflexia<\/strong>, which is an <strong>emergency requiring immediate intervention<\/strong>. Application of <strong>compression stockings<\/strong> will increase <strong>stimulus below the cord lesion<\/strong> and make the situation worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Lower the head of the bed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong>: The client is demonstrating signs of <strong>autonomic dysreflexia<\/strong>, which is an <strong>emergency requiring immediate intervention<\/strong>. Because the client is at risk for a <strong>stroke<\/strong>, the <strong>head of the bed should be raised<\/strong> to decrease <strong>cerebral venous flow<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Increase the IV flow rate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale<\/strong>: The client is demonstrating signs of <strong>autonomic dysreflexia<\/strong>, which is an <strong>emergency requiring immediate intervention<\/strong>. <strong>Increasing the IV flow rate<\/strong> is <strong>not an effective intervention<\/strong> in this case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reference\"><\/span>Reference<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldcat.org\/title\/pathophysiology-the-biologic-basis-for-disease-in-adults-and-children\/oclc\/1011025724\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children<\/em>&nbsp;(8th ed.)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/30.png?w=700\" alt=\"Osmosis ad\" class=\"wp-image-407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/30.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/30.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">NCLEX-RN\u00ae and NCLEX-PN\u00ae are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc (NCSBN\u00ae). Osmosis is not affiliated with NCSBN.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Want more <strong>NCLEX\u00ae-style practice questions<\/strong>? Try <strong>Osmosis from Elsevier<\/strong> today! Access your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>f<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login?type=create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>ree trial<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and find out why millions of <strong>current and future clinicians and caregivers<\/strong> love learning by Osmosis.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A patient with spinal cord injury reports headache and blurred vision with hypertension and bradycardia. What is the nurse\u2019s first priority action?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":279,"featured_media":645,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,29,1367,32],"tags":[1897,1899,1898,369,739,244,274,1029,1900,1896],"class_list":["post-644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exam-prep","category-nclex","category-nclex-rn","category-nursing","tag-autonomic-dysreflexia","tag-bladder-management","tag-bradycardia","tag-emergency-nursing","tag-hypertension","tag-nclex-rn","tag-nursing-assessment","tag-nursing-care","tag-sci-complications","tag-spinal-cord-injury"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Spinal cord injury assessment - Osmosis Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-injury-assessment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Spinal cord injury assessment - Osmosis Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A patient with spinal cord injury reports headache and blurred vision with hypertension and bradycardia. 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