Question

The client has been brought to the emergency department by their caregiver. The caregiver says that she found the client diaphoretic, nauseated, flushed and complaining of a pounding headache when she came on shift. What are these symptoms indicative of?

Answer 1

Answer: Autonomic dysreflexia

Step-by-step explanation:

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) also known as Autonomic hyperreflexia is a condition in which the body overreacts to an external or bodily stimuli due to a complication of the involuntary nervous system which is responsible for maintaining involuntary bodily functions like ; blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, production of body fluids.

This condition is commonly seen in people with spinal cord injuries. AD usually presents with a sudden onset of spiked high blood pressure, profuse sweating particularly on the forehead, dizziness, pounding headache, some as presented by the client.