Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Why are spinal cord injuries (C1/C2) often fatal?

1. Loss of mobility

2. Loss of respiratory muscle function

3. Severe pain

4. Excessive bleeding

The correct answer is: Loss of respiratory muscle function

Spinal cord injuries at the C1 and C2 levels are particularly critical because they affect the uppermost segments of the cervical spine, which are directly connected to the brainstem and responsible for many vital functions, including respiratory control. When an injury occurs at these levels, there is a significant risk of losing the function of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which are essential for breathing. Without adequate respiratory muscle function, a person can quickly develop respiratory failure, leading to a life-threatening situation. Loss of mobility, while impactful on a person's quality of life, does not directly result in mortality like respiratory failure can. Severe pain, though distressing and debilitating, is typically manageable and does not pose an immediate threat to life. Excessive bleeding can indeed be dangerous in some contexts, but it does not specifically relate to the consequences of C1/C2 spinal cord injuries in the same way that respiratory failure does. Thus, the critical aspect of why C1/C2 spinal cord injuries are often fatal is indeed linked to the loss of respiratory muscle function.