Which statement about autonomic dysreflexia is NOT a typical sign?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Piloerection
• D. Nausea

Answer: (D)

Autonomic dysreflexia is an emergency that occurs in people with a high spinal cord injury when a stimulus below the injury triggers an excessive sympathetic response. This drives a sudden, dangerous rise in blood pressure (hypertension). To compensate, the body activates the vagus nerve above the level of injury, causing a slower heart rate (bradycardia). You’ll also see signs like piloerection (goose bumps) and sweating or flushing above the level of injury due to the uneven autonomic signals. Nausea isn’t a typical or defining sign of autonomic dysreflexia; it can occur but it isn’t part of the classic presentation. So nausea doesn’t fit the usual AD picture.