Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

Which of the following does NOT typically characterize autonomic dysreflexia?

1. Hypotension

2. Bradycardia

3. Excessive sweating

4. Nasal obstruction

The correct answer is: Hypotension

Autonomic dysreflexia is a potentially life-threatening condition that often occurs in individuals with spinal cord injuries above the T6 level. It is characterized by an exaggerated response of the autonomic nervous system to stimuli that occur below the level of injury, leading to a series of physiological responses. One of the hallmark features of autonomic dysreflexia is hypertension, not hypotension. In fact, it often results in a significant increase in blood pressure, which can lead to symptoms such as headache, facial flushing, and sweating above the level of injury. Individuals experiencing autonomic dysreflexia typically exhibit bradycardia as a compensatory response to the high blood pressure, as the body tries to counteract the excessive sympathetic nervous system activity. Excessive sweating is also common due to the sympathetic response to noxious stimuli. Nasal obstruction, while it may be compatible with a range of symptoms, does not specifically characterize autonomic dysreflexia itself. It is not among the classic symptoms seen with this condition, making it the correct response to the question. Thus, the correct understanding of autonomic dysreflexia includes recognizing the predominant features of hypertension, bradycardia, and excessive sweating while noting that nasal obstruction is not a typical characteristic of the