Posted: August 17th, 2017

Which nerve is assessed when the nurse asks the patient to dorsiflex the ankle and extend the toes?

Which nerve is assessed when the nurse asks the patient to dorsiflex the ankle and extend the toes?
a) Peroneal
The motor function of the peroneal nerve is assessed by asking the patient to dorsiflex the ankle and extend the toes while the sensory function is assessed by pricking the skin between the great and center toes.
b) Radial
The radial nerve is assessed by asking the patient to stretch out the thumb, then the wrist, and then the fingers at the metacarpal joints.
c) Median
The median nerve is assessed by asking the patient to touch the thumb to the little finger.
d) Ulnar
Asking the patient to spread all fingers allows the nurse to assess motor function affected by ulnar innervation.