Autonomic dysreflexia: a nursing challenge in the care of the patient with a spinal cord injury.

Autonomic dysreflexia is an emergency condition resulting in sudden severe hypertension that can occur in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients above the T-5-6 level. This hypertension has its proximate cause in neurologic, not cardiovascular, mechanisms. Knowledge about pathophysiology, possible consequences, and signs and symptoms will assist the nurse in identifying this syndrome, locating and removing causes, controlling symptoms, and preventing morbidity or mortality. A case study is used to illustrate a typical autonomic dysreflexia episode in a hospitalized patient at risk. Prevention of autonomic dysreflexia and patient and professional education are also addressed.