Question

A client sustains a crushing injury of the spinal cord above the level of origin of the phrenic nerve. as a result of this injury, the nurse expects what client response?

Answer 1

Since the spinal cord injury is above the origin of the phrenic nerve it means that it will be lost the function of this nerve.
The phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm muscle, which controls the breathing process.
If the nerve is damaged and signals between the brain and the diaphragm are interrupted, normal breathing won't be possible.