Recognition and treatment of autonomic dysreflexia

Patients who are admitted to the critical care unit frequently have numerous diagnoses including ones that can interfere with their treatment. One secondary condition with significant impact on nursing care is autonomic dysreflexia. Noxious stimuli in the ICU can precipitate a life-threatening autonomic response that results in hemodynamic and neurologic complications. Critical care nurses and advanced practice nurses are critical in preventing or making an early identification of this complication.