All of the following are complications of spinal cord injury (SCI); EXCEPT:

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
It is acquired through sexual contact and is not a direct physiological consequence or secondary complication of the neurological damage from a spinal cord injury.
The other options are all direct or indirect results of the pathophysiology of SCI.

Option A: Increased risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) is a very common complication of SCI.
Option C: Flaccidity and spasticity are hallmark motor function impairments following SCI.
Option D: Autonomic hyperreflexia (or dysreflexia) is a critical and life-threatening complication of SCI.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Complications of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A primary nursing role in SCI care is the prevention, early recognition, and management of complications.
Nurses must meticulously manage bladder and bowel programs to prevent UTIs and constipation, which can trigger autonomic hyperreflexia.
Patient and family education is crucial. They must learn to identify signs of complications like UTI (cloudy urine, fever) or autonomic hyperreflexia (pounding headache, sweating, high BP) and know when to seek immediate medical help.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question: 'complications of spinal cord injury (SCI)' and 'EXCEPT'.
The word 'EXCEPT' is critical. It means you are looking for the option that is NOT a complication of SCI.
Evaluate each option one by one, asking yourself: 'Is this a known complication of SCI?'
A. Risk of UTI: Yes, due to bladder dysfunction.
B. Gonorrhea: No, this is an STI.
C. Flaccidity and spasticity: Yes, these are motor impairments.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Complications of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Stem keywords: complications, spinal cord injury, SCI
Lead-in keywords: EXCEPT
Negative lead-in flag: This is a negative-lead-in question, asking you to identify the option that is NOT a complication of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).

Qf3ZC3G27K5UkWgSXRxky1

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 2 pp. 104-106, 102-104, 107-109

Practise the full Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.