Light Touch and Protective Sensation Testing

Light Touch and Protective Sensation Testing

by Profeesor Rhonda White

​Prairie State College

​PTA Program

Multiple Choice

Most tests for somatosensory function is performed with the patient's eyes closed and it can be occur over clothing?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Fill in the Blanks

Documentation for somatosensory testing should be descriptive with regard to type of test, specific areas tested, area of dysfunction identified, and

differences.

​Light Touch Assessment

1. ​Instruct the patient on the test and how you would like them to respond

2. ​Determine the area of skin you will assess; position the patient appropriately

3. ​Test affected and unaffected side if warranted at the same time: (unilateral peripheral nerve dysfunction)

   Ask the patient to close their eyes

4. Ask the patient to tell you if touch is felt​

5. ​Gently touch the skin; don't dent; don't stabilize limb

6. ​Don't stroke

7. ​Continue to test at random intervals until boundaries of normal and abnormal have been located

8. ​Attempt 3 trials in one area before moving to the next largest monofilament

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE: The equipment required for light touch can be cotton, gauze or nothing at all

• TRUE

• FALSE

Proctective Sensation​

Multiple Choice

Which spinal tract(s) are responsible for a patient being able use protective sensation?

• spinothalamic column

• posterior column

• spinothalamic and posterior columns

• None of the choices are correct

Multiple Choice

Monofilaments are numbered to correspond to a range of __-__ gm of force required to bend the monofilament upon contact with a surface.

• 2.0-3.0 gm

• 0.008-0.010 gm

• 250-300 gm

• 0.008-300 gm

​Protective Reaction Assessment

• ​Instruct the patient on what you are doing and the verbal responses you would like them to give

• ​You can do a pre-test on a non-involved area

• ​Position the patient in supine or reclined position

• ​Remove shoes and socks and clean the plantar surface

• ​Test in the 9 specified areas

• ​Ask the patient to indicate yes or no each time the monofilament is felt

• ​Touch each area with monofilament at 90 degree angle until the monofilament bends slightly

• ​Maintain pressure for 1.5 seconds

• ​Test both feet

Poll

You are testing a patient with diabetic neuropathy in their foot. You recognize that the patient cannot feel the smallest monofilament 2.83/0.07 after 3 trials. What should you do?

• Move to the next largest monofilament and retest

• Contact your supervising PTA

• Call 911

• Jumpt to the largest monofilament and retest