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:

Muscle strength is correct. Assessing muscle strength is essential to determine if there are any neurological deficits or weakness that could indicate a neurological condition or injury. Sudden falls can be indicative of various neurological issues, such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Assessing muscle strength helps identify any motor impairments or weakness that could contribute to the fall.

Choice B Reason:

Facial symmetry is correct. Assessing facial symmetry is crucial to identify any signs of facial droop, which could indicate a neurological deficit such as a stroke or Bell's palsy. Facial asymmetry may suggest damage to the facial nerve or other neurological issues.

Choice C Reason:

Peripheral pulses is incorrect. While assessing peripheral pulses is important for evaluating circulation, it may not be the priority assessment in this scenario where the client has suddenly fallen and may be experiencing neurological symptoms. Neurological deficits, such as weakness or changes in facial symmetry, vision, or speech, are more indicative of acute neurological issues like stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), which require immediate attention and intervention. In emergency situations, prioritizing assessments related to potential life-threatening conditions such as neurological deficits takes precedence over assessing peripheral pulses.

Choice D Reason:

Vision changes is correct. Assessing for vision changes is important to identify any visual disturbances or deficits that could contribute to falls or indicate underlying neurological issues such as a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Visual disturbances may include blurriness, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.

Choice E Reason:

Aphasia is incorrect. Assessing for aphasia, which is the inability to understand or express speech, is essential to identify any language deficits that could indicate a neurological condition such as a stroke. Aphasia may present as difficulty speaking, understanding language, or both.

Choice A Reason:

The client has no sensation or movement below the level of the injury is correct. This is a characteristic finding of a complete spinal cord injury, where there is total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. This pattern is often seen in injuries involving the cervical spinal cord, such as at the level of C7.

Choice B Reason:

The client has some movement but no sensation below the level of the injury is incorrect. This finding would be more indicative of an incomplete spinal cord injury, where there is partial preservation of sensory or motor function below the level of the injury. However, with a transection of the spinal cord at C7, it is less likely for the client to have retained movement below the level of injury.

Choice C Reason:

The client has some movement and also some sensation below the level of the injury is incorrect. This finding is not typically associated with a spinal cord injury at the level of C7. With a transection of the spinal cord at this level, there is typically complete loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury.

Choice D Reason:

The client has some sensation but no movement below the level of the injury is incorrect. This finding is more consistent with an incomplete spinal cord injury, where there may be partial preservation of sensory function but no motor function below the level of the injury. However, with a transection of the spinal cord at C7, it is less likely for the client to have retained sensation below the level of injury.