88: Autonomic Dysreflexia: The Who, What, Why, and How to Treat This Perplexing Diagnosis

Rapid Response RN

As host Sarah Lorenzini insightfully explains, “think of autonomic dysreflexia symptoms as the body's way of telling you something is wrong.” Autonomic dysreflexia is a medical emergency that occurs in patients with a spinal cord injury, but it can be hard to recognize because of the body’s confusing responses to stimulation. That’s why it’s crucial for nurses to understand this syndrome and prevent patients from developing any life-threatening complications.

In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini gives listeners an inside look at a case of autonomic dysreflexia in a quadriplegic patient. She breaks down the patient’s symptoms, medical history and presentation, then shares what helped her recognize the signs of autonomic dysreflexia. As she dives into the pathophysiology of autonomic dysreflexia, you’ll gain a better understanding of this syndrome, including how to manage the symptoms and treat patients.

At first perplexed by this case, it was Sarah’s knowledge and critical thinking that led her to suspect autonomic dysreflexia. Tune in now and take notes so you can diagnose autonomic dysreflexia and deliver timely intervention the next time you encounter it!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The patient’s symptoms and initial assessment
• Identifying the problem and starting treatment
• Understanding autonomic dysreflexia
• Causes and management of autonomic dysreflexia

Mentioned in this episode:

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