Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

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What is the most common presentation of spinal cord compression (SCC)?

Difficulty walking
Back pain
Numbness in extremities
Loss of bladder control

The correct answer is: Back pain

The most common presentation of spinal cord compression (SCC) is back pain. This symptom often serves as the initial indicator of the condition and can arise from various causes, such as tumor growth, trauma, or conditions like degenerative disc disease that exert pressure on the spinal cord. The back pain linked to SCC is typically characterized by its persistent nature and may worsen with movement or certain positions. Understanding back pain in the context of SCC is crucial because it is frequently the first sign that patients experience, prompting further evaluation. While other symptoms such as difficulty walking, numbness in extremities, and loss of bladder control are also associated with SCC, they tend to occur later as the condition progresses. These additional symptoms arise due to the involvement of specific neurological pathways and deficits caused by the compression, but the prevalent and earliest symptom reported by patients is usually back pain. This emphasizes the importance of early recognition and intervention to prevent further neurological damage.