ATI Neurological System Questions Related

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A patient has a severed spinal nerve as a result of trauma. Which statement is true in this situation?

  • A. Because there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves, no effect results if only one nerve is severed.
  • B. The dermatome served by this nerve will no longer experience any sensation.
  • C. The adjacent spinal nerves will continue to carry sensations for the dermatome served by the severed nerve.
  • D. A severed spinal nerve will only affect motor function of the patient because spinal nerves have no sensory component.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): When a spinal nerve is severed, adjacent spinal nerves can compensate and continue to carry sensations for the dermatome served by the severed nerve. This is possible due to the concept of dermatomes overlapping and the redundancy in sensory innervation. Therefore, the patient may still experience sensation in the affected area despite the specific nerve being severed.

Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Incorrect. Even if there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves, severing one nerve can still have a significant impact on sensory and motor functions depending on the location and severity of the injury.
B: Incorrect. Sensory loss would occur in the dermatome served by the severed nerve, but adjacent nerves can still carry sensations.
D: Incorrect. Spinal nerves have both sensory and motor components, so severing a spinal nerve can affect both sensory and motor functions, not just motor function.