Question

You often experience numbness and pain in the thumb and first two fingers on your right hand. The doctor suspects that carpal tunnel syndrome is the reason for the numbness and pain. The doctor then orders a simple test to see how fast nerve impulses are moving up and down your arm. The doctor's preliminary diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is a(n)

a. MRI
b. EMG
c. X-ray
d. CT scan

Answer 1

The doctor would order an EMG test to determine the speed of nerve impulses and confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Step-by-step explanation:

The doctor would likely order a(n) EMG or electromyography test to determine how fast nerve impulses are moving up and down the arm to confirm the preliminary diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Electromyography measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves. In this test, small electrodes are placed on the skin over the muscles being tested, and the electrical signals are recorded. By analyzing the speed and amplitude of the nerve impulses, doctors can determine if there is compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.

An MRI, CT scan, or X-ray may not directly evaluate the nerve function and would not be the most appropriate test for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.