A nurse working in a busy orthopedic clinic is asked to perform the Tinel sign on a patient having problems in his hand/wrist. In order to test Tinel sign, the nurse should give the patient which of the following directions?
A)"Stand tall, arms at your side, shut your eyes; place the tip of your index finger to your nose."
B)"Hold your wrist in complete flexion; keep it in this position for 60 seconds; howdoes your hand feel after placing it in a neutral position?"
C)"I'm going to tap (percuss) over the median nerve in your wrist; tell me what sensation you feel while I am doing this. Does the sensation stay in the wrist or go anywhere else?"
D)"I'm going to tap this tuning fork and place it on the side of your thumb; then tell me what you are feeling in your hand and wrist."

Question

A nurse working in a busy orthopedic clinic is asked to perform the Tinel sign on a patient having problems in his hand/wrist. In order to test Tinel sign, the nurse should give the patient which of the following directions? 
A)"Stand tall, arms at your side, shut your eyes; place the tip of your index finger to your nose."
B)"Hold your wrist in complete flexion; keep it in this position for 60 seconds; howdoes your hand feel after placing it in a neutral position?"
C)"I'm going to tap (percuss) over the median nerve in your wrist; tell me what sensation you feel while I am doing this. Does the sensation stay in the wrist or go anywhere else?"
D)"I'm going to tap this tuning fork and place it on the side of your thumb; then tell me what you are feeling in your hand and wrist."

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A positive Tinel sign will help diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient will have a tingling sensation radiating into the palm of the hand when lightly percussed over the median nerve at the wrist. Answer choice B relates to Phalen sign, which is also a test to help diagnose carpel tunnel syndrome. Answer choice D is not the medical test for carpal tunnel syndrome.

A Nurse Working in a Busy Orthopedic Clinic Is Asked