Question

The emergency department is awaiting the arrival of a spinal cord-injured patient. Knowing the innervation of the diaphragm, a patient with which type of injury may be in need of immediate mechanical ventilation? Injury to the
A) C4 area.
B) C7 area.
C) T1 area.
D) T4 area.

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is- C4 area

Explanation:

A C4 spinal cord injury happens when damage is dealt about mid-way down the cervical spinal cord, the topmost portion of the spinal cord that is located in the neck and upper shoulders.

Injury to the C4 spinal cord can cause quadriplegia or tetraplegia (paralysis in the hands, arms, torso and legs), bladder or bowel function issue, loss of control in the abdominal and intercostal muscles in the torso, limited shoulder movement, retention of some head and neck mobility.

Injury at C4 or higher will affect the diaphragm (muscles that move the lungs for breathing) as it is controlled by the phrenic nerve which iss comprised of inputs from the C3, C4, and C5 nerve roots (primarily C4).

When someone suffers an injury to the C4 level or higher they may require a ventilator to provide breathing assistance

Injury at C4 or higher will affect the diaphragm (which moves lungs for breathing).

Injury to T1 to T11 will affect the intercostal muscles (muscles between the ribs).

Injury to T7 to T12 will affect the abdominal muscles.