OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Neurovascular Assessment 3

Question 1

During neurovascular assessment of a patient with a supracondylar humerus fracture in a child, which artery is most at risk and should be specifically evaluated?

Accepted Answer

Brachial artery

Answer

Radial artery

Answer

Ulnar artery

Answer

Axillary artery

Question 2

A patient reports that their fingers feel numb and cold after forearm cast application. The orthopaedic technologist observes sluggish capillary refill of 4 seconds. The MOST appropriate immediate action is:

Accepted Answer

Split the cast and padding to relieve pressure, then reassess

Answer

Apply heat to improve circulation

Answer

Elevate the arm above heart level only

Answer

Remove the cast completely and reapply the next day

Question 3

Sensation over the dorsum of the foot (excluding the first web space) is primarily supplied by which nerve?

Accepted Answer

Superficial peroneal nerve

Answer

Deep peroneal nerve

Answer

Sural nerve

Answer

Tibial nerve

Question 4

In documenting a neurovascular assessment, which of the following findings should be recorded with each check?

Accepted Answer

Capillary refill, skin color, temperature, sensation, movement, and pulses

Answer

Pain level and temperature only

Answer

Pulse rate and blood pressure

Answer

Swelling and bruising only

Question 5

Loss of sensation on the medial aspect of the forearm and hypothenar eminence most likely indicates injury to which nerve?

Accepted Answer

Ulnar nerve

Answer

Median nerve

Answer

Radial nerve

Answer

Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm

Question 6

When using a hand-held Doppler device to assess vascular flow in a limb, an absent or monophasic signal compared to a normal triphasic signal indicates:

Accepted Answer

Significant arterial insufficiency or occlusion

Answer

Normal venous return

Answer

Adequate collateral circulation

Answer

Hypertensive arterial flow

Question 7

Which finding during neurovascular assessment is considered the EARLIEST and most sensitive indicator of compartment syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Pain out of proportion to the injury and pain with passive stretch

Answer

Pulselessness in the distal extremity

Answer

Paralysis of the affected limb

Answer

Pallor of the skin distal to the injury