Nursing Knowledge of Autonomic Dysreflexia
Major
Nursing, BSN
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Nursing
Faculty Advisor
Noel Kerr
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-12-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 9:30 AM
Abstract
Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a condition that frequently occurs after injury to the spinal cord above the T6 level. AD is a dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system causing unregulated sympathetic responses which leads to an emergency high blood pressure. Patients with spinal cord injuries who have a urinary tract infection, distended bladder, or clogged/kinked Foley catheter, causing urinary retention or inability to void, experience AD. AD happens somewhat frequently in This inability to release urine results in a life-threatening high blood pressure episode. AD needs to be identified quickly to prevent harm. Because there are relatively few patients who are paralyzed in the US, nurses and nursing students may not be familiar with this potentially deadly condition. Because AD can result in mortality, the training nurses and nursing students receive is critical to respond quickly to symptoms and prevent harm. However, little is known about what and how nurses and nursing students learn about this condition and stay current on identification or treatment of AD. Many nurses do not see AD in their practice because they do not regularly care for patients with paralysis. Because they do not see it often, they lack the ability to recognize the warning signs/symptoms. We are conducting a review surrounding the knowledge that nurses and nursing students have about AD. The goal of this review is to identify evidence about what student nurses and nurses are being taught about AD and if they are carrying that over to their practice. We are using the PRISMA technique to guide our review and our review is in process.
Nursing Knowledge of Autonomic Dysreflexia
CNS Atrium
Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a condition that frequently occurs after injury to the spinal cord above the T6 level. AD is a dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system causing unregulated sympathetic responses which leads to an emergency high blood pressure. Patients with spinal cord injuries who have a urinary tract infection, distended bladder, or clogged/kinked Foley catheter, causing urinary retention or inability to void, experience AD. AD happens somewhat frequently in This inability to release urine results in a life-threatening high blood pressure episode. AD needs to be identified quickly to prevent harm. Because there are relatively few patients who are paralyzed in the US, nurses and nursing students may not be familiar with this potentially deadly condition. Because AD can result in mortality, the training nurses and nursing students receive is critical to respond quickly to symptoms and prevent harm. However, little is known about what and how nurses and nursing students learn about this condition and stay current on identification or treatment of AD. Many nurses do not see AD in their practice because they do not regularly care for patients with paralysis. Because they do not see it often, they lack the ability to recognize the warning signs/symptoms. We are conducting a review surrounding the knowledge that nurses and nursing students have about AD. The goal of this review is to identify evidence about what student nurses and nurses are being taught about AD and if they are carrying that over to their practice. We are using the PRISMA technique to guide our review and our review is in process.