Immersion: Sensation

Sensory testing is most helpful when your patient’s history suggests a neurologic concern.  To screen for a sensory nerve problem, you can compare sensation to light touch side-to-side on the proximal and distal upper and lower extremities. Because sensation is subjective, a detailed sensory exam is not performed unless your patient reports sensory changes or you suspect a problem affecting sensation.  You will learn to do a more detailed sensory exam during the Mind, Brain and Behavior block.

The Romberg test assesses the sensory inputs that allow people to stand upright and can be performed along with gait testing.