Preventive nursing management of 88 cases of spinal cord injuries with pulmonary complications

OBJECTIVE To explore the method to improve respiratory function and to prevent pulmonary infection in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.METHODS A total of 88 patients of third to seventh cervical fracture with spinal cord injury from Aug,2006 to Dec,2009 were included with this retrospective research.After evaluation of pulmonary function,trainings of respiratory system and expectoration were administered as well as respiratory tract management.Changes of respiratory functions were observed and analyzed.RESULTS Frequency and rhythm of respiration in all patients were more rapid and superficial after injury.Percutanous saturation of oxygen decrease was insignificant in the first three days post-traumatically,which trended to be worsened in the fourth to the seventh post-traumatic day,with the figures lower than 90.00% even under the condition of oxygen inhalation.Improvement could be achieved after systematic respiratory function trainings with the improved rate of 100.0%;The respiratory frequency was 20-28 times per minute,and the fluctuation in transcutaneous oxygen saturation was 97.0%-100.0%.CONCLUSION Various damages to respiratory function can be observed after cervical spinal cord injury.Improvement of respiratory function and prevention of pulmonary complications can be achieved by early respiratory function training.The earlier the training begins,the more obvious the respiratory function improve.