Which assessment is indicative of spinal shock?

• A. Increased muscle tone
• B. Heightened reflexes
• C. Loss of reflex function below the lesion
• D. Normal reflex activity

Answer: (C)

Spinal shock is characterized by a temporary loss of all reflex activity and function below the level of a spinal cord injury. This condition results in a state of areflexia, where the normal reflex arcs are disrupted. Consequently, individuals experiencing spinal shock will have diminished or absent reflexes below the site of the spinal injury, making the loss of reflex function below the lesion a defining assessment finding.

This condition typically occurs immediately following a spinal cord injury and can last from several hours to several weeks, during which any reflexive actions that would normally occur in that area of the body are significantly diminished or completely absent. The return of reflexes often indicates that spinal shock is resolving and may also provide insight into the level and extent of the spinal cord injury.

Other options, such as increased muscle tone or heightened reflexes, would suggest the presence of upper motor neuron lesions and are not indicative of spinal shock. Normal reflex activity would suggest that spinal shock is not present, as spinal shock involves the absence of reflexive responses below the injury.