Paraplegia means paralysis from the waist down. Which functional ability is sometimes preserved according to care considerations?

• A. Inability to perform bowel care
• B. Ability to insert own suppository and assist with bladder
• C. Inability to control any bladder function
• D. Requires full dependence on staff for mobility

Answer: (B)

In paraplegia, lower-body paralysis doesn’t automatically strip away all self-care abilities. Some people retain enough hand function and reflex control to participate in bowel and bladder management. The option describing the person who can insert their own suppository and assist with bladder shows preserved manual dexterity and partial control over bowel and bladder. This reflects an ability to take an active role in care, which is often a goal in rehabilitation and care planning for spinal cord injuries.

The other scenarios imply complete or total dependence for these functions, which isn’t necessary or universal in paraplegia. Being unable to perform bowel care, unable to control any bladder function, or needing full staff dependence for mobility would indicate a level of dependence that isn’t the typical or expected outcome in all cases of paraplegia.