Final answer:
The possibility of respiratory arrest in a patient with a C7 spinal cord injury is dependent on the severity of the injury. While severe spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, an injury at this level does not always lead to respiratory failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can a patient with a spinal cord injury at the C7 level have respiratory arrest? The correct answer is d) It depends on the severity of the injury. The C7 level is part of the cervical spinal cord, which, when injured, can affect various bodily functions, including respiration. However, respiratory failure is not always a given and may depend on factors such as the extent of the injury and what parts of the spinal cord are affected. Complete lesions may increase the likelihood of respiratory issues, while incomplete lesions might result in varying degrees of respiratory function.
Severe spinal cord injuries often cause paralysis because the spinal cord is critical for transmitting signals from the brain to different parts of the body. If these pathways are disrupted due to an injury, it can result in loss of motor function and sensation below the level of injury. Comparing this to damage to the brain stem, the effects might be even more pronounced, as the brain stem controls many vital functions, including heart rate and breathing. Therefore, damage to this area could lead to life-threatening consequences.