Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

What are common clinical signs of an incomplete spinal cord injury?

1. Complete paralysis and areflexia

2. Partial sensation and preserved reflexes

3. Loss of bowel function only

4. Complete sensory function below injury

The correct answer is: Partial sensation and preserved reflexes

An incomplete spinal cord injury refers to a situation where there is still some preserved function, either sensory or motor, below the level of the injury. This is characterized by partial sensation, meaning that the individual may retain some ability to feel touch, pain, or temperature, even though they may have lost a significant amount of motor function. Additionally, preserved reflexes are typical in cases of incomplete injuries. The neurologic pathways can remain intact to some extent, allowing for reflexes to occur even in the absence of voluntary motor control. This duality of function emphasizes why individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries can exhibit different symptoms, which may include varied degrees of mobility and sensation. In contrast, the other choices highlight conditions that do not accurately reflect the characteristics of an incomplete spinal cord injury. Complete paralysis and areflexia, for instance, suggest a total loss of function, which is indicative of a complete spinal cord injury. Loss of bowel function alone does not encompass the full spectrum of signs associated with these injuries, while complete sensory function below an injury would similarly suggest a preservation of all sensory pathways, which is inconsistent with the nature of an incomplete injury.