SPINAL CORD INJURY: THE ACUTE PHASE

Course overview

The purpose of this article is to provide nurses with information about the acute phase of spinal cord injury. When you finish this article, you will be able to: 1. Describe normal spinal cord anatomy 2. Identify common mechanisms of spinal cord injury 3. Describe changes in bodily function after spinal cord injury 4. Recognize principles of acute care management for a patient with a spinal cord injury 5. List nursing diagnoses relevant to the care of a patient in acute phase of spinal cord injury.