Assessment Of Sensory Function

Question 1

Pain and Temperature Sensation

Answer 1

Testing temperature sensation can be completed by using a cold reflex hammer and the warm touch of a hand

(Pain and temperature sensation is transmitted by the same nerve ending. If one sensation is tested and found to be intact, it is safe to say that the other is intact)

Question 2

Pain Perception

Answer 2

Using a sharp or dull object, such as the tip of a cotton-tipped applicator. Ask patient to close their eyes and indicate whether the object is sharp or dull.

Question 3

Sensory Perception

Answer 3

Same as pain; use a sharp or dull object, such as the tip of a cotton-tipped applicator. Ask the patient to close their eyes and indicate whether the touch is sharp or dull.

Question 4

Touch Discrimination

Answer 4

Have the patient close their eyes and then the nurse touches the patient with a finger and asks that they patient point to the area touched. Repeated on each extremity at random. Next, the nurse touches the patient on each side of the body on corresponding sites at the same time. The patient should be able to point to both sites. Then, touch the patient in two places on the same extremity with two objects.