In paraplegia, paralysis involves?

Appeared in: SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-A)

Explanation

Paraplegia is defined as the paralysis or weakness of the trunk and both lower limbs.
This condition typically results from an injury to the spinal cord at the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral level, below the cervical region.
As a result, sensation and movement are lost below the level of the spinal cord injury, while the arms and upper body function are usually unaffected.

Option A: Paralysis of all four extremities is known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia, not paraplegia.
Option C: Paralysis of one side of the body (e.g., the right arm and right leg) is called hemiplegia.
Option D: Paralysis affecting only the upper extremities is a very rare condition, sometimes referred to as brachial diplegia, and is not the definition of paraplegia.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition and classification of paralysis types, specifically paraplegia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must accurately document the type and extent of paralysis to track disease progression or recovery and to plan appropriate care, such as preventing pressure ulcers, contractures, and deep vein thrombosis.
Understanding the level of spinal cord injury is crucial for anticipating potential complications. For example, a patient with paraplegia from a high thoracic injury (above T6) is at risk for autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency.
What if? If the patient experienced weakness instead of complete paralysis in the lower limbs, the correct term would be 'paraparesis'. The suffix '-plegia' denotes complete paralysis, while '-paresis' indicates weakness.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key medical term in the question: 'paraplegia'.
Break down the term based on medical prefixes. 'Para-' refers to a pair or the lower half of the body, and '-plegia' means paralysis.
Apply this definition to the given options. 'Para-' directly corresponds to the pair of lower extremities.
Systematically eliminate the other options by recalling their definitions: 'quadriplegia' for all four limbs, 'hemiplegia' for one side of the body, and 'monoplegia' for a single limb.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definition and classification of paralysis types, specifically paraplegia.
Stem keywords: paraplegia, paralysis
Lead-in keywords: involves
Negative lead-in flag: false

QDg6usMOVP4wZLu-kqSAXX

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 597-599

E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 3 p. 180-182

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 2 p. 68-70

Practise the full SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2015 (Set-A)

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