Which vital sign would most likely be abnormal in a paraplegic patient experiencing a moderate headache?

In the context of a paraplegic patient experiencing a moderate headache, blood pressure is the most likely vital sign to be abnormal. Paraplegic patients may have altered autonomic function due to spinal cord injury, which can significantly impact their cardiovascular system. This can lead to issues such as autonomic dysreflexia, particularly if the spinal injury is above T6.

Moderate headaches in these patients might arise from a variety of sources, including increased intracranial pressure or tension headaches, which could also contribute to changes in blood pressure. In such cases, the body’s ability to appropriately regulate blood pressure might be impaired, leading to either hypertension or hypotension.

Other vital signs, while they can be affected in certain situations, are less likely to show significant abnormalities solely due to the combination of paraplegia and headache without additional context. For instance, while heart rate and respiratory rate can vary based on multiple factors, they are not typically as directly impacted in a stable paraplegic patient experiencing a headache as blood pressure would be. Body temperature is also less likely to fluctuate significantly in this scenario and is generally regulated by other mechanisms regardless of mobility. Thus, changes in blood pressure are more expected and clinically significant in this context.