Peripheral Nervous System Disorders: Peripheral neuropathy; Radiculopathy; Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Peripheral Nervous System Disorders: Peripheral neuropathy; Radiculopathy; Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease ( 5 Questions)
This is a correct answer. Low back pain that radiates down the leg is a common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. Radiculopathy is a condition that affects the nerve roots that exit from the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along their distribution. A herniated intervertebral disc is a common cause of radiculopathy, as it can compress or irritate the nerve roots in the spinal canal or intervertebral foramen. The pain may follow a dermatomal pattern depending on which nerve root is affected.
This is a correct answer. Muscle weakness or atrophy in the affected leg is another common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. Muscle weakness or atrophy may result from reduced nerve stimulation or innervation to the muscles in the leg, which can affect their function and appearance. The muscle weakness or atrophy may follow a myotomal pattern depending on which nerve root is affected.
This is a correct answer. Diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes in the affected leg is another common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. Deep tendon reflexes are involuntary responses that are elicited by tapping on specific tendons with a reflex hammer, such as the patellar or Achilles tendon. Diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes may indicate damage or dysfunction of the nerve roots that mediate the reflex arc. The diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes may follow a segmental pattern depending on which nerve root is affected.
This is a correct answer. Positive straight leg raise test on the affected side is another common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. The straight leg raise test is a physical examination maneuver that involves raising the client's leg while keeping it straight and flexing the foot. A positive test is indicated by pain in the low back or leg that is reproduced or worsened by the maneuver, which suggests nerve root compression or irritation by the herniated disc.
This is an incorrect answer. Loss of bladder or bowel control is not a common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. Loss of bladder or bowel control may indicate cauda equina syndrome, which is a rare but serious condition that involves compression of the nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord, causing severe low back pain, saddle anesthesia, sexual dysfunction, and urinary or fecal incontinence. Cauda equina syndrome requires immediate medical attention and surgical decompression to prevent permanent nerve damage or paralysis.
Choice A reason:
This is a correct answer. Low back pain that radiates down the leg is a common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. Radiculopathy is a condition that affects the nerve roots that exit from the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along their distribution. A herniated intervertebral disc is a common cause of radiculopathy, as it can compress or irritate the nerve roots in the spinal canal or intervertebral foramen. The pain may follow a dermatomal pattern depending on which nerve root is affected.
Choice B reason:
This is a correct answer. Muscle weakness or atrophy in the affected leg is another common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. Muscle weakness or atrophy may result from reduced nerve stimulation or innervation to the muscles in the leg, which can affect their function and appearance. The muscle weakness or atrophy may follow a myotomal pattern depending on which nerve root is affected.
Choice C reason:
This is a correct answer. Diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes in the affected leg is another common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. Deep tendon reflexes are involuntary responses that are elicited by tapping on specific tendons with a reflex hammer, such as the patellar or Achilles tendon. Diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes may indicate damage or dysfunction of the nerve roots that mediate the reflex arc. The diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes may follow a segmental pattern depending on which nerve root is affected.
Choice D reason:
This is a correct answer. Positive straight leg raise test on the affected side is another common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. The straight leg raise test is a physical examination maneuver that involves raising the client's leg while keeping it straight and flexing the foot. A positive test is indicated by pain in the low back or leg that is reproduced or worsened by the maneuver, which suggests nerve root compression or irritation by the herniated disc.
Choice E reason:
This is an incorrect answer. Loss of bladder or bowel control is not a common symptom of radiculopathy due to a herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine. Loss of bladder or bowel control may indicate cauda equina syndrome, which is a rare but serious condition that involves compression of the nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord, causing severe low back pain, saddle anesthesia, sexual dysfunction, and urinary or fecal incontinence. Cauda equina syndrome requires immediate medical attention and surgical decompression to prevent permanent nerve damage or paralysis.