Final answer:
In a prone-positioned patient, the maneuver of shoulder abduction beyond 90 degrees increases the risk of brachial plexopathy due to potential strain on the brachial plexus nerves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maneuver that increases the risk of brachial plexopathy in a prone-positioned patient is A) Abduction of the shoulder for greater than 90 degrees. Abduction is the motion of moving a limb laterally away from the midline of the body. In the context of shoulder abduction, this motion can strain the brachial plexus, particularly when the arm is abducted beyond 90 degrees, leading to potential nerve injury. The brachial plexus is a network of nerve fibers that run from the spine through the neck, the axilla, and into the arm. Excessive abduction can stretch or compress these nerves, causing brachial plexopathy. This injury can manifest as weakness, pain, or loss of sensation in the upper limb.
Other positions listed, such as B) Flexion of the elbow for greater than 90 degrees, C) Neutral position of the head, and D) Placement of the arms at the sides, do not commonly lead to brachial plexopathy when the patient is prone.