A patient with a traumatic brain injury shows no feeling or mobility in the lower extremities on neuro checks, and MRI indicates lumbar spine injury and spinal contusion. Which diagnosis should the CDI professional consider?

A patient with a traumatic brain injury shows no feeling or mobility in the lower extremities on neuro checks, and MRI indicates lumbar spine injury and spinal contusion. Which diagnosis should the CDI professional consider?

• A. Quadriplegia
• B. Paraplegia
• C. Hemiplegia
• D. Paresthesia

Answer: (B)

This question tests how the level of spinal cord injury relates to which parts of the body lose function. When the injury is in the lumbar region, motor and sensory loss occurs in the legs and lower body, while the arms and upper body are typically unaffected — this pattern is paraplegia. The scenario describes trauma with no movement or sensation in the lower extremities and MRI showing lumbar spine injury with contusion, which aligns with paraplegia. Quadriplegia would require injury high in the cervical spine and involve all four limbs. Hemiplegia is weakness on one side of the body typically from a brain lesion, not a spinal cord injury. Paresthesia means abnormal sensation, such as tingling, rather than complete loss of motor function. Therefore paraplegia is the best fit.

This question tests how the level of spinal cord injury relates to which parts of the body lose function. When the injury is in the lumbar region, motor and sensory loss occurs in the legs and lower body, while the arms and upper body are typically unaffected — this pattern is paraplegia. The scenario describes trauma with no movement or sensation in the lower extremities and MRI showing lumbar spine injury with contusion, which aligns with paraplegia. Quadriplegia would require injury high in the cervical spine and involve all four limbs. Hemiplegia is weakness on one side of the body typically from a brain lesion, not a spinal cord injury. Paresthesia means abnormal sensation, such as tingling, rather than complete loss of motor function. Therefore paraplegia is the best fit.