Autonomic dysreflexia--a nurse's challenge

Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is a potentially life-threatening complication for spinal cord injured individuals. It is one of the most serious emergencies that can develop post trauma. AD provides a challenge to nurses. A basic understanding of the patho-physiology involved in AD is recommended and encouraged for those people who care for the spinal cord injured. The purpose of this paper is to provide a tool for nurses to identify, understand and manage an AD crisis using a step-by-step approach.