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Sensory SystemThe Sensory System ExaminationThe sensory exam includes testing for: pain sensation (pin prick), light touch sensation (brush), position sense, stereognosia, graphesthesia, and extinction. Diabetes mellitus, thiamine deficiency and neurotoxin damage (e.g. insecticides) are the most common causes of sensory disturbances. The affected patient usually reports paresthesias (pins and needles sensation) in the hands and feet. Some patients may report dysesthesias (pain) and sensory loss in the affected limbs also. Pain and Light Touch SensationInitial evaluation of the sensory system is completed with the patient lying supine, eyes closed. Instruct the patient to say "sharp" or "dull" when they feel the respective object. Show the patient each object and allow them to touch the needle and brush prior to beginning to alleviate any fear of being hurt during the examination.
Previous Lesson | Home | Next Lesson What part of the hand is best for assessing temperature?Use the dorsal surface of your own hands (i.e., the back of the hands), to assess the temperature of a surface (e.g., skin). For example, findings may include “warm skin temperature on arms, equal bilaterally.” Your fingertips are densely innervated and therefore sensitive to tactile discrimination.
What part of the hand is the best for assessing temperature in the patient's lower extremities?Use the dorsal surface of the hands for assessing the relative temperature of the skin (typically in comparison to another portion of the patient's body).
Which part of the hand is used to palpate a client's pulses?Use the tip of the index and third fingers of your other hand to feel the pulse in your radial artery between your wrist bone and the tendon on the thumb side of your wrist. Apply just enough pressure so you can feel each beat.
What is the proper technique of assessing skin temperature which part of the hand should you use and why?The dorsa (backs) of the hands and fingers are best for determining temperature because the skin is thinner on the dorsal surfaces than on the palms. Fingertips are best for fine, tactile discrimination.
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