Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

After an acute spinal cord injury, what occurs in the white matter typically within 24 hours?

1. Complete necrosis of the tissue

2. Circulation usually returns to normal

3. Severe edema develops

4. Permanent damage to surrounding cells

The correct answer is: Circulation usually returns to normal

After an acute spinal cord injury, significant physiological changes occur in the affected area, particularly within the white matter. One of the immediate processes that occurs within the first 24 hours is the development of severe edema. This edema is due to a cascade of events initiated by the injury, leading to increased capillary permeability and the accumulation of interstitial fluid. The presence of this edema can further complicate the injury and increase the risk of secondary damage to neural structures. While the answer provided suggests that circulation usually returns to normal, this is not accurate soon after the injury. The vascular changes, including disrupted blood flow and impaired circulation, are characteristic responses that can persist for longer than 24 hours. Therefore, severe edema is a hallmark of the body's initial pathological response to spinal cord trauma and is critical in understanding the dynamics of injury progression and the potential for recovery or additional damage to neural tissues.