Brachial plexus palsy
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
OB / NewbornPediatricsNeuroMusculoskeletalmedium priorityneeds review
Brachial plexus palsy
Also testable as: Erb palsy, Klumpke palsy, Brachial plexus birth injury
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Stretch or injury to brachial plexus nerves during birth or trauma.
- Nerve injury causes weakness, decreased movement, or abnormal arm positioning.
Medications
No specific medication class was seeded for this card.
Nursing actions
- Assess spontaneous movement, Moro reflex symmetry, grasp, clavicle fracture signs, and pain.
- Protect affected arm from traction and position/support it as ordered.
- Teach caregiver range-of-motion and therapy follow-up when prescribed.
Complications
- Contractures
- Persistent weakness
- Developmental motor delay
- Shoulder injury
NCLEX cues
- One arm limp after shoulder dystocia.
- Asymmetric Moro reflex.
- Do not pull affected arm.
Memory hooks
- Brachial plexus injury makes one arm quiet.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Newborn neuro/musculoskeletal assessment
- Clavicle imaging if fracture suspected
- Therapy evaluation
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.