Question

Which technique will the nurse use to assess proprioceptive function of the lower extremities in a client with suspected spinal cord injury?

A.) Ask the client to flex and extend the ankles.
B.) With the client's eyes closed, move a toe up and down.
C.) Apply resistance while the client plantar flexes the feet.
D.) Assess sensations of sharp and dull in the lower extremities.

Answer 1

The nurse will use the Romberg test to assess proprioceptive function of the lower extremities in a client with suspected spinal cord injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse will use the Romberg test to assess proprioceptive function of the lower extremities in a client with suspected spinal cord injury.

In the Romberg test, the patient is asked to stand straight with feet together and close their eyes. This eliminates visual feedback and forces the patient to rely on proprioceptive stimuli to maintain balance.

If the patient has deficits in proprioception, it may indicate problems with the dorsal column pathway proprioception or proprioceptive projections to the cerebellum through the spinocerebellar tract.