Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Which of the following is characterized by paralysis of both upper and lower extremities?

1. Paraparesis

2. Quadriplegia

3. Incomplete spinal cord injury

4. Complete spinal cord injury

The correct answer is: Quadriplegia

Quadriplegia is defined as paralysis that affects all four limbs—both the upper and lower extremities. This condition typically results from injury to the spinal cord, particularly in the cervical region, where the nerve pathways that control movement in the arms and legs are compromised. Individuals suffering from quadriplegia may experience varying degrees of loss of motor function and sensation below the level of injury, affecting their ability to move, walk, or use their arms effectively. In contrast, paraparesis only involves weakness in the lower extremities, without affecting the arms. An incomplete spinal cord injury allows for some function to remain below the injury site, which means that not all motor control is lost. A complete spinal cord injury, while it can result in paralysis of the limbs, is more specifically characterized by the absence of any sensory or motor function below the injury level. Quadriplegia, therefore, distinctly describes the paralysis of both upper and lower extremities.