Question

A 25-year-old male comes into the office complaining of right arm weakness. He was involved in a car accident last week and broke his fibula. He is in a cast and on crutches. He denies recent trauma, neck pain, or head pain. Upon physical examination, he has upper right extremity weakness of wrist extension, and there were no tricep reflex. What nerve is messed up?

a. Median
b. Axillary
c. Radial
d. Accessory
e. Long Thoracic
f. Suprascapular

Answer 1

The symptoms of right arm weakness in wrist extension and an absence of tricep reflex suggest an impairment in the radial nerve.

Step-by-step explanation:

The observed right arm weakness in wrist extension and the absence of the tricep reflex indicate a likely impairment in the radial nerve. The radial nerve plays a crucial role in innervating the extensor muscles responsible for wrist extension. Additionally, as it innervates the triceps brachii, the absence of the tricep reflex strengthens the case for a radial nerve issue. These specific symptoms align with radial nerve dysfunction, making it the probable cause for the observed clinical presentation. Therefore, option c, Radial, is the most fitting choice for explaining the patient's symptoms.