Which nerve is assessed when the nurse asks the patient to
spread all fingers?
a) Ulnar
Asking the patient to spread all fingers allows the nurse to assess
motor function affected by ulnar innervation while pricking the fat pad
at the top of the small finger allows assessment of the sensory
function affected by the ulnar nerve.
b) Peroneal
The peroneal nerve is assessed by asking the patient to dorsiflex the
ankle and extend the toes.
c) Radial
The radial nerve is assessed by asking the patient to stretch out the
thumb, then the wrist, and then the fingers at the metacarpal joints.
d) Median
The median nerve is assessed by asking the patient to touch the
thumb to the little finger.
spread all fingers?
a) Ulnar
Asking the patient to spread all fingers allows the nurse to assess
motor function affected by ulnar innervation while pricking the fat pad
at the top of the small finger allows assessment of the sensory
function affected by the ulnar nerve.
b) Peroneal
The peroneal nerve is assessed by asking the patient to dorsiflex the
ankle and extend the toes.
c) Radial
The radial nerve is assessed by asking the patient to stretch out the
thumb, then the wrist, and then the fingers at the metacarpal joints.
d) Median
The median nerve is assessed by asking the patient to touch the
thumb to the little finger.