A pre-hospital team is managing a 40-year-old female with a suspected anterior shoulder dislocation. The clinical features are loss of the deltoid con...

Question

A pre-hospital team is managing a 40-year-old female with a suspected anterior shoulder dislocation. The clinical features are loss of the deltoid contour and the arm held in slight abduction and external rotation. Before reduction, what nerve must be tested and how?

Accepted Answer

Axillary nerve - test sensation over the regimental badge area (lateral deltoid) and deltoid motor function (arm abduction against resistance if the patient can cooperate)

Answer

Musculocutaneous nerve - test elbow flexion

Answer

Radial nerve - test wrist extension

Answer

Median nerve - test opposition of the thumb

Answer

Ulnar nerve - test finger abduction

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Axillary Nerve Assessment

A pre-hospital team is managing a 40-year-old female with a suspected anterior shoulder dislocation. The clinical features are loss of the deltoid contour and the arm held in slight abduction and external rotation. Before reduction, what nerve must be tested and how?