Final answer:
To test the C6 dermatome, apply a light touch to the thumb side of the forearm, extending to the thumb and index finger. A cotton-tipped applicator is used to assess the patient's sensory perception from distal to proximal on the upper limb.
Step-by-step explanation:
To test the C6 dermatome, which corresponds to the sixth cervical nerve, you would apply a light touch stimulus to the skin of the region innervated by the C6 nerve. This includes the area of the forearm on the thumb side (radial side) and the back of the arm down to the thumb and the index finger. The testing should include examining the sensory perception from distal to proximal locations on the upper limb. A common method to assess sensory perception in a dermatome is using the light touch of the soft end of a cotton-tipped applicator. The patient is asked to report on the perception of the touch and if there are differences in sensations within the tested dermatome. This helps in evaluating the integrity and function of the C6 spinal nerve.