On Admission to the Emergency Department,the Patient with a C5

Multiple Choice

On admission to the emergency department,the patient with a C5 compression fracture can move only his head and has flaccid paralysis of all extremities.The distraught family asks if the paralysis is permanent.The nurse's best response would be:

A) "Yes. In all likelihood, the paralysis is probably permanent."
B) "No. Significant recovery of function should occur in a few days."
C) "It is too early to tell. When the spinal shock subsides, we will know more."
D) "You should talk to your physician about things of that nature."