A nurse is providing teaching about potential complications to a client who has a spinal cord injury. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching as a common complication of spinal cord injuries?
(Select All that Apply.)

Choice A Reason:

Chronic cough is correct. Persistent cough is a common symptom of COPD, often occurring due to irritation and inflammation in the airways.

Choice B Reason:

Sputum production is correct. COPD patients frequently experience increased mucus production, leading to coughing up phlegm or sputum, especially in the morning.

Choice C Reason:

Dyspnea is correct. Shortness of breath or dyspnea is a hallmark symptom of COPD, particularly during physical activity or exertion, and it tends to worsen as the disease progresses.

Choice D Reason:

Wheezing occurs due to narrowed airways and increased airway resistance. It is more noticeable during expiration but can also be present during inspiration in severe cases.

Choice E Reason:

Chest tightness is incorrect. While chest tightness can occur in COPD, it is typically more associated with asthma. However, some individuals with COPD may experience chest tightness, especially during exacerbations or when airflow is significantly limited.

Choice A Reason:

Manual wheelchair is inappropriate. A manual wheelchair requires the use of the client's upper extremities to propel the wheelchair forward by pushing on the wheels. With a spinal cord injury at the fourth cervical level, the client may have limited or no function in their upper extremities, making it difficult to self-propel a manual wheelchair.

Choice B Reason:

Sip-and-puff device is appropriate. A sip-and-puff device allows individuals with limited or no hand function to control a powered wheelchair using their breath. This device enables the client to navigate the wheelchair by inhaling or exhaling into a straw-like device, which activates controls to move the wheelchair forward, backward, and turn.

Choice C Reason:

Drive-adapted wheelchair is inappropriate. A drive-adapted wheelchair is a powered wheelchair that can be modified with adaptive controls to accommodate individuals with limited hand function or mobility. These wheelchairs may include joystick controls, head arrays, chin controls, or other adaptive devices that allow the client to operate the wheelchair independently despite limited hand function.

Choice D Reason:

Ultra-light wheelchairs is inappropriate. Ultra-light wheelchairs are manual wheelchairs that are lightweight and often customized to fit the client's specific needs and preferences. While ultra-light wheelchairs may offer advantages in terms of maneuverability and ease of transportation, they still require sufficient upper extremity function to self-propel the wheelchair.