DERMATOME TESTING

Question 1

PROCEDURE (dermatome examination of light touch)

Answer 1

-patient’s eyes are closed
-test right and left side simultaneously***
-compare distal to proximal areas
-test level above, at, and below suspected nerve level
-ask patient to tell you when a touch is felt (or if no/limited sensation on one side compared to other)

Question 2

PROCEDURE (dermatome examination of sharp/dull sensation)

Answer 2

-same procedure as with light touch but ask patient to tell you whether it is light or dull

-incorrect if patient registers the sensation as dull when it is sharp

** ABNORMAL: inability to distinguish, not feeling at all

USE: paper clip/safety pin

-begin distal and work proximal
-compare bilaterally

Question 3

C3

Answer 3

lateral neck

Question 4

C4

Answer 4

over clavicle

Question 5

C5

Answer 5

lateral upper arm

Question 6

C6

Answer 6

thumb

Question 7

C7

Answer 7

middle finger

Question 8

C8

Answer 8

little finger; medial border of the hand

Question 9

T1

Answer 9

medial forearm

Question 10

T2

Answer 10

medial upper arm close to axilla

Question 11

L1

Answer 11

anterior groin

Question 12

L2

Answer 12

middle to upper anterior thigh

Question 13

L3

Answer 13

middle to lower medial thigh

Question 14

L4

Answer 14

medial aspect of foot to great toe

Question 15

L5

Answer 15

central dorsum of foot to middle toe

Question 16

S1

Answer 16

lateral aspect of foot and ankle

Question 17

S2

Answer 17

middle of posterior thigh