What symptom indicates autonomic dysreflexia in a spinal cord injury client?

Autonomic dysreflexia is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries, particularly those at and above the T6 level. It is characterized by an exaggerated sympathetic response to stimuli that can lead to severe hypertension and other manifestations.

One of the key symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia is nasal stuffiness and headache. This occurs due to the body's abnormal response to noxious stimuli below the level of the spinal injury, like bladder distension or bowel impaction. The body reacts with vasoconstriction below the level of injury and vasodilation above, leading to symptoms such as a flushed face and nasal congestion. The headache results from the severe hypertension that occurs in response to the autonomic dysreflexia, which causes increased intracranial pressure due to the mismatch between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.

The other symptoms in the choices, such as rapid heartbeat, weakness in extremities, and loss of consciousness, do not specifically indicate autonomic dysreflexia and can be associated with other medical conditions or complications. The correct identification of nasal stuffiness and headache helps in recognizing autonomic dysreflexia early, allowing for timely intervention to prevent serious complications.