Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

Which type of sense testing can help identify early neuropathy?

1. Pressure sensation testing

2. Motor neuropathy testing

3. Vibratory sensation testing

4. Temperature sensation testing

The correct answer is: Motor neuropathy testing

The identification of early neuropathy is crucial in wound care management, particularly in populations at risk, such as those with diabetes. The correct answer relates to vibratory sensation testing, which is significant for detecting peripheral neuropathy at its early stages. Vibratory sensation testing involves using a tuning fork to assess the patient’s ability to feel vibrations, usually applied at prominent bony areas. This kind of testing is effective because it can often reveal the sensory deficits caused by neuropathy before other types of sensation, such as pressure or temperature, might show abnormalities. Early detection allows for timely interventions to prevent complications, such as ulcerations or infections, that arise from the lack of protective sensation. While pressure sensation testing, temperature sensation testing, and motor neuropathy testing are all relevant aspects of evaluating neuropathy, they are generally not as sensitive to the early changes that vibratory sensation testing can identify. Pressure and temperature testing may not detect subtle sensory loss, and motor neuropathy testing focuses more on muscle strength and function rather than sensory perception. Thus, the role of vibratory sensation testing makes it an essential tool in the early identification of neuropathy.