A nurse is caring for a client who has degenerative disc disease. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse understand might develop with this condition?
(Select All that Apply.)

Choice A Reason:

Prodrome is incorrect. The prodrome phase occurs before the onset of the headache and can last for hours to days. During this phase, individuals may experience subtle changes that serve as warning signs of an impending migraine attack. Common prodromal symptoms include fatigue, mood changes, food cravings, increased thirst, and heightened sensitivity to light or sound. Tingling of the face and blind spots in the eyes are not typically associated with the prodrome phase.

Choice B Reason:

Aura is correct. The aura phase of a migraine typically occurs before or during the headache phase and involves neurological symptoms. Aura symptoms can include visual disturbances such as blind spots, zigzag lines, or flashing lights, as well as sensory symptoms like tingling or numbness, often starting in one part of the body and spreading gradually. The tingling of the face and blind spots in the eyes described by the client are consistent with the aura phase of a migraine.

Choice C Reason:

Postdrome is incorrect. The postdrome phase occurs after the headache phase and can last for hours to days. During this phase, individuals may experience lingering symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and muscle aches. While some individuals may experience visual disturbances during the postdrome phase, the tingling of the face and blind spots in the eyes described by the client are more characteristic of the aura phase.

Choice D Reason:

Headache is incorrect. The headache phase of a migraine is characterized by moderate to severe throbbing head pain, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. While visual disturbances can occur during the headache phase, the tingling of the face and blind spots in the eyes described by the client precede the onset of headache, suggesting the aura phase rather than the headache phase.

Choice A Reason:

Hypertension is not typically associated with heterotopic ossifications. However, it may occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) due to autonomic dysreflexia, a condition characterized by an exaggerated sympathetic response to stimuli below the level of injury. Autonomic dysreflexia can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure, which, if left untreated, can result in complications such as stroke or seizure. However, hypertension is not directly related to heterotopic ossifications.

Choice B Reason:

Bradycardia is also not typically associated with heterotopic ossifications. Like hypertension, bradycardia may occur in individuals with SCI due to autonomic dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure and a reflex bradycardia in response to the increased sympathetic outflow. However, bradycardia is not directly related to heterotopic ossifications.

Choice C Reason:

Fecal impaction is a potential complication of spinal cord injury (SCI) due to impaired bowel function, but it is not directly related to heterotopic ossifications. SCI can disrupt normal bowel motility and result in neurogenic bowel dysfunction, leading to symptoms such as constipation, fecal impaction, and bowel obstruction. However, fecal impaction is not specific to heterotopic ossifications.

Choice D Reason:

Arthralgia is correct. Heterotopic ossifications (HO) involve the abnormal formation of bone in soft tissues around joints, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. When HO occurs around joints, it can lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion, collectively known as arthralgia. Therefore, arthralgia is a common finding associated with heterotopic ossifications in individuals with spinal cord injuries.