Spinal cord injury

The patient with a C5 spinal cord injury may have anxiety, fear, or depression due to the loss of function and independence. The patient may also have difficulty breathing, swallowing, or regulating body temperature. The patient may call the nurse frequently to seek reassurance, attention, or comfort. The nurse should respond with empathy and compassion, and provide the patient with emotional support and psychological counseling. The nurse should also assess the patient’s physical needs and provide adequate hydration, nutrition, and skin care. The nurse should not dismiss the patient’s requests, ignore the patient’s feelings, or limit the patient’s contact with the nurse. The nurse should also not give false reassurance or minimize the patient’s concerns. Therefore, the best response is to get someone to sit with the patient, such as a family member, a friend, or a volunteer. This will help the patient feel less isolated, anxious, or depressed, and provide the patient with a sense of security and companionship.