Which respiratory finding is most likely immediately after a spinal cord injury at C7–C8?

Which respiratory finding is most likely immediately after a spinal cord injury at C7–C8?

• A. Spasticity
• B. Incontinence
• C. Flaccid paralysis
• D. Respiratory failure

Answer: (D)

Right after a spinal cord injury, the body undergoes spinal shock, which produces flaccid paralysis and loss of reflexes below the level of the injury. At the C7–C8 level, this means the muscles of the trunk and limbs are initially flaccid and do not contract normally. Respiratory effects come from which muscles are affected: the diaphragm gets its main innervation from the phrenic nerves (C3–C5), which are above the lesion, so diaphragmatic breathing can still occur right after the injury. However, the intercostal muscles (innervated by thoracic nerves) and many abdominal muscles are paralyzed below the injury, leading to weak, shallow breathing and reduced chest expansion. Spasticity and hyperreflexia tend to appear later, as the spinal shock phase resolves. Incontinence may occur early due to loss of voluntary control, but that is not a respiratory finding. So the immediate respiratory pattern is characterized by a weak, shallow ventilatory effort from flaccid chest wall muscles, reflecting spinal shock, rather than full respiratory failure.

Right after a spinal cord injury, the body undergoes spinal shock, which produces flaccid paralysis and loss of reflexes below the level of the injury. At the C7–C8 level, this means the muscles of the trunk and limbs are initially flaccid and do not contract normally. Respiratory effects come from which muscles are affected: the diaphragm gets its main innervation from the phrenic nerves (C3–C5), which are above the lesion, so diaphragmatic breathing can still occur right after the injury. However, the intercostal muscles (innervated by thoracic nerves) and many abdominal muscles are paralyzed below the injury, leading to weak, shallow breathing and reduced chest expansion. Spasticity and hyperreflexia tend to appear later, as the spinal shock phase resolves. Incontinence may occur early due to loss of voluntary control, but that is not a respiratory finding. So the immediate respiratory pattern is characterized by a weak, shallow ventilatory effort from flaccid chest wall muscles, reflecting spinal shock, rather than full respiratory failure.