Sharp/Dull

1. Explain the test procedure and purpose to the client:

Hello Matilda, sometimes after an injury patients experience loss of sensation. What I would like to do today is to test your ability to feel things by touching your arms and hands.

2. Explain the stimulus and expected reactions

Matilda, I am going to use this paperclip to touch your arm and hand. When you feel the touch I would like you to tell me if you feel the sharp end or the dull end.

3. Demonstrate test on self first

Matilda, I am going to touch your arm just like this (as she sees on my arm).

4.Demonstrate on client’s less involved hand first with no visual occlusion, use the sharp end and tell the client “this is the sharp end” then use the dull end of the paper clip and tell the client “this is the dull end”.

Matilda, I am going to touch your arm like this.

5. Test less involved side with vision occluded.

Matilda, I am going to test your sensation in this arm as I did earlier but I will have your vision blocked.

6. Test more involved side with vision occluded. (Random stimulation and random location using sharp and dull sides of paper clip)

Matilda, I am going to test the other arm with your vision blocked.

[Document results as Intact or Impaired with x out of y correct ( x=numbers of times the client identified the sensation when touched; y= number of locations practitioner tested)]