Normally a patient can differentiate between soft and sharp and can feel vibrations accurately. What should the nurse do to assess a patient's sensory function?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To assess a patient's sensory function, the nurse should touch both sides of various parts of the body with a sharp and a dull object to determine if the patient can differentiate between the two sensations. This will assess the patient's ability to feel different types of touch, such as soft or sharp, as well as their ability to perceive vibrations. having the patient distinguish which parts of the body are being touched does not assess sensory function as effectively as using both a sharp and a dull object. Asking the patient to identify two areas of simultaneous pinpricks on the hand is a specific test that is not necessary for a general assessment of sensory function. Writing a number on the patient's hand and having them identify it only assesses for visual perception and is not an accurate measure of sensory function.

Normally a Patient Can Differentiate Between Soft and Sharp and Can