Which dermatome is MOST likely affected if a patient cannot differentiate sharp and dull on the tip of the right thumb?

Prepare for the NPTE Scorebuilders OA Exam 1. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, detailed explanations for each item. Achieve success in your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which dermatome is MOST likely affected if a patient cannot differentiate sharp and dull on the tip of the right thumb?

Explanation:
The main idea here is dermatome mapping of sensory loss. The thumb tip is innervated by the C6 dermatome, so when a person cannot distinguish sharp from dull there at that exact spot, it points to involvement of the C6 sensory distribution. This localizes the deficit to that nerve root (or its peripheral nerves) supplying the thumb. The middle finger is C7 and the little finger is C8, with proximal regions like the shoulder/upper arm testing C4/C5, so a deficit specifically at the thumb best fits C6.

The main idea here is dermatome mapping of sensory loss. The thumb tip is innervated by the C6 dermatome, so when a person cannot distinguish sharp from dull there at that exact spot, it points to involvement of the C6 sensory distribution. This localizes the deficit to that nerve root (or its peripheral nerves) supplying the thumb. The middle finger is C7 and the little finger is C8, with proximal regions like the shoulder/upper arm testing C4/C5, so a deficit specifically at the thumb best fits C6.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy