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A nurse is caring for a client who has a cervical spinal cord injury sustained 1 month ago. Which of the following manifestations indicates that the client is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia (AD)?

A.Temperature 38.9° C (102° F)
B.Systolic blood pressure 70 mm Hg
C.Heart rate 52/min
D.Respiratory rate 8/min

User KenE
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Final answer:

The correct answer is B. Systolic blood pressure 70 mm Hg. Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a medical emergency that can occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries above the T6 level. It is characterized by a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure due to an exaggerated sympathetic response.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is B. Systolic blood pressure 70 mm Hg.

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a medical emergency that can occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries above the T6 level. It is characterized by a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure due to an exaggerated sympathetic response. AD is typically triggered by a noxious stimulus below the level of the injury, such as a full bladder or bowel impaction.

In this scenario, a systolic blood pressure of 70 mm Hg indicates that the client is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia. The normal range for systolic blood pressure is 90-120 mm Hg, so a reading of 70 mm Hg is significantly lower and indicates that there is a problem with the autonomic regulation of blood pressure.

User Adrenaxus
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