Autonomic dysreflexia is defined as what?

Autonomic dysreflexia is defined as what?

• A. A life-threatening hypertensive emergency in T6 or higher SCI after spinal shock resolves
• B. A benign reflex that resolves with time
• C. An infection of the urinary tract
• D. A mild headache after spinal injury

Answer: (A)

Autonomic dysreflexia is a life-threatening hypertensive emergency that occurs in people with a spinal cord injury at or above the T6 level after spinal shock has resolved. A noxious stimulus below the level of injury (such as bladder distension, urinary retention, or bowel impaction) triggers an unregulated sympathetic response, causing a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure. This condition is not a benign reflex or a harmless issue like a mild headache or infection; it requires immediate action to identify and remove the trigger and to lower the blood pressure (for example, sitting the patient upright and addressing the bladder or bowel issue, then treating sustained hypertension if needed).

Autonomic dysreflexia is a life-threatening hypertensive emergency that occurs in people with a spinal cord injury at or above the T6 level after spinal shock has resolved. A noxious stimulus below the level of injury (such as bladder distension, urinary retention, or bowel impaction) triggers an unregulated sympathetic response, causing a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure. This condition is not a benign reflex or a harmless issue like a mild headache or infection; it requires immediate action to identify and remove the trigger and to lower the blood pressure (for example, sitting the patient upright and addressing the bladder or bowel issue, then treating sustained hypertension if needed).