Spinal shock is typically characterized by which finding?

Spinal shock is typically characterized by which finding?

• A. Absence of reflexes below the level of injury
• B. Hypertension and tachycardia
• C. Rapid return of reflexes within minutes
• D. Hyperreflexia from the outset

Answer: (A)

Spinal shock is the acute phase after a spinal cord injury during which reflex activity below the level of injury is temporarily lost due to disruption of spinal circuits and loss of supraspinal input. This produces absence of reflexes below the injury, along with flaccid paralysis. Over time, these reflexes typically return and may become hyperactive as the shock resolves. That’s why the best description is an absence of reflexes below the level of injury. Hypertension and tachycardia are not characteristic; in fact, hypotension from loss of sympathetic tone can occur. Reflexes do not return within minutes; they often take hours to weeks to reappear. Hyperreflexia from the outset is not present during the spinal shock phase and occurs later as reflexes return.

Spinal shock is the acute phase after a spinal cord injury during which reflex activity below the level of injury is temporarily lost due to disruption of spinal circuits and loss of supraspinal input. This produces absence of reflexes below the injury, along with flaccid paralysis. Over time, these reflexes typically return and may become hyperactive as the shock resolves.

That’s why the best description is an absence of reflexes below the level of injury. Hypertension and tachycardia are not characteristic; in fact, hypotension from loss of sympathetic tone can occur. Reflexes do not return within minutes; they often take hours to weeks to reappear. Hyperreflexia from the outset is not present during the spinal shock phase and occurs later as reflexes return.