Final answer:
A nurse should expect a response to light touch above the level of injury in a client with a complete spinal cord injury below the third cervical vertebra.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caring for a client with a complete spinal cord injury below the third cervical vertebra, a nurse should expect a response to light touch above the level of injury. This is because the sensory information is transmitted through the spinal cord, and below the level of injury there is a loss of sensation. Above the level of injury, the sensory pathways are still intact and can transmit sensation to the brain.
For example, if the injury is below the third cervical vertebra, the nurse can expect a response to light touch in areas such as the head, neck, and upper chest. However, the areas below the injury, such as the arms, abdomen, and legs, will not have a response to light touch.