Question

The nurse is caring for a client who is admitted with a crushing injury to the spinal cord above the level of phrenic nerve origin. what should the nurse consider about this type of injury when planning care?

Answer 1

Any injury C-Spine or any injury above the Sacrum should be under constant immobilization. In this case due to the phrenic nerve (which controls breathing, and who's origin is around the C3-5), immobilization until confirmation is made must be maintained, because if damage to the Phrenic nerve happens, the patient will loose the ability to breath, which is really bad. Remember "C3-4-5 keep the Phrenic Nerve alive".

Answer 2

The nurse should promote the immobilization of the patient during care.

Step-by-step explanation:

An accident or trauma that causes a crushing injury to the crushing injury to the spinal cord may compromise the internal circulation of the spinal cord at some point in the spine. As a result, the part of the body that is below the injury will suffer motor impairment and the person will lose much of the movement and sensation. For this reason, it is important that during medical care the patient is immobilized as comfortably as possible.