WEST-E Special Education Practice Test

What condition involves damage to the spinal cord and can lead to numerous complications, including mobility issues?

1. Cerebral Palsy

2. Traumatic Brain Injury

3. Spina Bifida

4. Muscular Dystrophy

The correct answer is: Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida is a condition characterized by the incomplete development of the spinal cord and its protective covering, which leads to significant complications primarily related to mobility. The condition occurs when the neural tube, which develops into the spinal cord and surrounding structures, does not close completely during early fetal development. This results in varying degrees of spinal cord damage and can lead to physical disabilities, including mobility issues, muscle weakness, and problems with coordination. Individuals with spina bifida often experience additional complications such as hydrocephalus, urinary incontinence, and difficulties with bowel control. The level and severity of these complications depend on the extent of the spinal cord damage. Addressing these issues usually requires a multidisciplinary approach, including medical intervention, physical therapy, and sometimes surgical procedures to improve mobility and quality of life. The other conditions listed might involve neurological issues but do not specifically relate to direct damage to the spinal cord in the same way that spina bifida does. This specificity is what makes spina bifida the correct answer to the question about conditions involving spinal cord damage.