Question

An 18-year-old client has suffered a C5 spinal cord contusion that resulted in quadriplegia. The parent is crying in the waiting room two days after the injury. When the nurse sits down to talk, the parent asks if the child will ever play sports again. Which response from the nurse would be best?

Reassure the parent that, given time and motivation, the child will return to normal function. Tell the parent that the primary health care provider will be available to talk right away. Encourage the parent to express any feelings and fears about the child's injury. Advise the parent that it is not in the child's best interest to be so upset.

Answer 1

The nurse should encourage the parent to express any feelings and fears about the child's injury, acknowledging the serious nature of spinal cord injuries like quadriplegia and the physical limitations that may result, while providing support and information about rehabilitation options.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate response from a nurse when asked by a parent if their 18-year-old child, who has suffered a C5 spinal cord contusion resulting in quadriplegia, will ever play sports again should be to encourage the parent to express any feelings and fears about the child's injury. It's crucial to provide emotional support and factual information without giving unrealistic expectations or false hope about recovery. Spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis which greatly affects a person's mobility and sensory functions, particularly with a higher-level injury such as C5. This may include the loss of ability to feel or move the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs, known as quadriplegia. While some recovery can occur, especially with early and intensive rehabilitation, full recovery is uncertain and can vary widely between individuals. The extent of recovery from spinal cord injuries depends on the severity and location of the injury, and there are physical limitations that may persist. The nurse should offer support and information about possible rehabilitation and adaptive sports that are designed for individuals with disabilities.