Autonomic dysreflexia can present with which sign?

Autonomic dysreflexia can present with which sign?

• A. Severe sweating
• B. Severe throbbing headache
• C. Nausea
• D. Dizziness

Answer: (B)

Autonomic dysreflexia occurs when a noxious stimulus below a spinal cord injury triggers an excessive sympathetic response, causing a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure. The most characteristic sign is a severe, pounding headache that reflects this acute hypertension. Sweating can occur, especially above the injury level, and nausea or dizziness may appear, but the pounding headache is the clearest indicator of this crisis. Recognizing it promptly prompts urgent actions to lower blood pressure and identify the trigger, such as checking for bladder distension or bowel impaction and removing the irritant.

Autonomic dysreflexia occurs when a noxious stimulus below a spinal cord injury triggers an excessive sympathetic response, causing a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure. The most characteristic sign is a severe, pounding headache that reflects this acute hypertension. Sweating can occur, especially above the injury level, and nausea or dizziness may appear, but the pounding headache is the clearest indicator of this crisis. Recognizing it promptly prompts urgent actions to lower blood pressure and identify the trigger, such as checking for bladder distension or bowel impaction and removing the irritant.