Pulmonary Problem Solving I

Scenario One - History

Patient Chart

KB is a 26-year-old male who was involved in a car crash two years ago. The crash caused his spinal cord to be severed at the level of C3.

Which of the following is the most likely pulmonary consequence of severing the spinal cord at C3?

victim will require a tracheostomy but will be able to breathe spontaneously

victim will be able to breathe spontaneously without a tracheostomy

victim will require ventilatory assistance during hours of sleep

victim will be completely ventilator dependent