Sensory Exam

Question 1

Sensory Testing

Which tract?

• PINPRICK

Answer 1

Spinothalamic

Question 2

What is the test? What does it test for?

• severe stiffness of hamstring causes inability to straighten leg at knee when hip is flexed to 90 degrees.

Answer 2

• Kernig’s Test
• Meningismus. •One sign of meningitis

Question 3

2 tests of Meningismus (meningitis)

Answer 3

1. Kernig’s sign
2. Neck rigidity (Bradzinski’s neck sign)

Question 4

What is the test? What does it test?

Ability to recognize a number written in the palm

Answer 4

• Sensory Exam- Higher Cortical Sensory Discrimination
• Graphesthesia

Question 5

Sensory Exam-Proprioception

Grasp the patient’s joint by the ______of the finger / toe – NOT on the _________

Answer 5

• side
• NOT on the top or bottom

Question 6

Sensory Testing

When performing sensory testing, start _____ and move ______

Answer 6

• distally
• move proximally

Question 7

Sensory Testing

Which tract?

• JOINT POSITION

Answer 7

Posterior columns

Question 8

Sensory Testing-Sharp v. Dull

• To test sharp, you need something sharp enough to make the patient say “Ouch”. _____________, etc won’t do.
• Sharp and dull objects need to be about the _________ as well.

Answer 8

• Paperclips, fingernails, pen tops
• about the same size

Question 9

Sensory Testing-Light Touch

Describe the touch used for testing light touch

Answer 9

Touch lightly without stroking or pressing

Question 10

What is the test? What does it test for?

• severe neck stiffness causes pts hip and knees to flex when neck is flexed

Answer 10

• Brudzinski’s Test
• Meningismus. •One sign of meningitis

Question 11

What is the test? What does it test for?

Percuss lightly over the course of any nerve which may be regenerating.

Answer 11

• Tinel’s Test
• In the case of carpal tunnel, this would be the median nerve. If the percussion causes tingling or electrical sensations, the Tinel’s test is positive.

Question 12

Sensory Testing

Which tract?

• SHARP/DULL

Answer 12

Spinothalamic

Question 13

Sensory Exam-Vibration

1. Strike the fork to maximum stimulus and place it on ______ joint.
2. Place your ________ under the patient’s MTP to feel the vibration the pt feels.

Answer 13

• MTP joint
• your DIP

Question 14

Sensory Testing-Light Touch

Touch lightly without stroking or pressing

Do not use _________, etc to perform light touch

Answer 14

gauze, q-tips, cotton

Question 15

Sensory Testing

Which tract?

• TEMPERATURE

Answer 15

Spinothalamic

Question 16

Sensory Testing

Which tract?

• LIGHT TOUCH

Answer 16

Spinothalamic/Posterior columns

Question 17

Sensory Exam- Higher Cortical Sensory Discrimination

3 Tests

Answer 17

1. •Two-point discrimination
2. •Graphesthesia
3. •Stereognosis

Question 18

What is the test? What does it test?

•Ability to identify an object by feeling it

Answer 18

• Sensory Exam- Higher Cortical Sensory Discrimination
• Stereognosis

Question 19

2 Tests for Carpal Tunnel

Answer 19

1. Phalen’s Test
2. Tinel’s Test

Question 20

What is the test? What does it test for?

•Pt to hold wrists in 90 degrees of flexion for 60 seconds.

Answer 20

• Phalen’s Test
• If numbness and tingling develop in the median nerve distribution, the test is positive and is suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Question 21

Sensory Testing

Which tract?

• VIBRATION

Answer 21

Posterior columns