Sensory Perception and Testing

Question 1

List 3 superficial sensations.

Answer 1

Temperature
Light touch
Pain

Question 2

List 3 deep sensations.

Answer 2

Proprioception
Kinesthesia
Vibration

Question 3

List 5 cortical sensations.

Answer 3

Bilateral simultaneous stimulation
Stereognosis 
Two-point discrimination 
Barognosis 
Localization of touch

Question 4

Patients with sensory deficits or who are at risk for sensory impairments should be tested using _______ for objective data collection regarding protective sensation.

Answer 4

Semmes Weinstein monofilaments

Question 5

How are barognosis, deep pain, kinesthesia, and graphesthesia tested?

Answer 5

Barognosis = perceive the weight of different objects in the hand
Deep pain = squeeze the forearm or calf muscle
Kinesthesia = identify direction and extent of movement of a joint or body part
Graphesthesia = identify a number or letter drawn on the skin without visual input

Question 6

How are light touch, localization, proprioception, and stereognosis tested?

Answer 6

Light touch = perceive touch through light pressure or use of cotton ball
Localization = ability to identify exact location of light touch on the body
Proprioception = identify a static position of an extremity or body part
Stereognosis = identify an object without sight

Question 7

How are superficial pain, temperature, two-point discrimination, and vibration tested?

Answer 7

Superficial pain = perceive noxious stimulus using a pen cap, paper clip end or pin
Temperature = perceive warm and cold test tubes
Two-point discrimination = using a two point caliper on the skin, identify one or two points without visual input
Vibration = perceive vibration or pain through tuning fork

Question 8

Define allodynia, analgesia, and anesthesia.

Answer 8

Allodynia = sensation of pain in response to a stimulus that would not typically produce pain
Analgesia = absence of pain while remaining conscious 
Anesthesia = absence of touch sensation

Question 9

What is causalgia?

Answer 9

Constant, relentless, burning hyperesthesia and hyperalgesia that develops after a peripheral nerve injury

Question 10

Define dysesthesia, hyperesthesia, hyperpathia, and hypesthesia.

Answer 10

Dysesthesia = distortion of any sense, especially the sense of touch 
Hyperesthesia = heightened sensation
Hyperpathia = an extreme exaggerated response to pain
Hypesthesia = diminished sensation of touch

Question 11

Define neuralgia, pallanesthesia, and paresthesia.

Answer 11

Neuralgia = severe and multiple shock like pains that radiate from a specific nerve distribution 
Pallanesthesia = loss of vibration sensation 
Paresthesia = abnormal sensations such as tingling, pins and needles or burning sensations