Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

In terms of rehabilitation, what condition requires urgent assessment if a patient exhibits signs of autonomic dysreflexia?

1. Temperature regulation

2. Obstruction of urinary catheter line

3. Fluid imbalance

4. Respiratory distress

The correct answer is: Obstruction of urinary catheter line

Autonomic dysreflexia is a serious condition that can occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries, particularly those with injuries above the T6 level. It is characterized by an overactive autonomic nervous system response to stimuli, leading to symptoms such as increased blood pressure, sweating, and anxiety. When a patient exhibits signs of autonomic dysreflexia, it is crucial to identify and resolve potential triggers as quickly as possible. One common trigger is an obstruction of the urinary catheter line. When the bladder becomes distended due to obstruction, it can stimulate the autonomic nervous system inappropriately, resulting in the symptoms associated with autonomic dysreflexia. Therefore, assessing and addressing a urinary catheter obstruction becomes an urgent priority in this scenario to alleviate the triggering factor and mitigate the risk of complications such as hypertensive crisis. While temperature regulation, fluid imbalance, and respiratory distress are important considerations in patient management, they do not represent the immediate and direct triggers of autonomic dysreflexia in most cases. Addressing the urinary catheter obstruction takes precedence because it can have a direct and rapid effect on alleviating the patient's emergency situation.