Hand and Upper Extremity Injuries
This test identifies carpal tunnel syndrome by wrist flexion.
What is Phalen’s test?
This is a mild nerve injury that recovers without surgery.
What is neurapraxia?
Cold therapy causes this vascular response.
What is vasoconstriction?
This is a common symptom across cancer diagnoses.
What is fatigue?
This focuses on end-of-life care.
What is hospice?
This sensory test measures ability to distinguish two points.
What is two-point discrimination?
Complete nerve severance requiring surgery.
What is neurotmesis?
This modality uses sound waves to heat deep tissue.
What is ultrasound?
Damage to peripheral nerves from chemo is called this.
What is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)?
This can begin at any stage of illness
What is palliative care?
This test evaluates functional hand use across tasks like writing and grasping.
What is the Jebsen Hand Function Test?
After nerve repair, this is avoided to protect healing.
What is excessive tension/stretching?
TENS is primarily used for this purpose.
What is pain control?
Name ONE lab value OT should monitor.
WBC, RBC, platelets, etc.
This model describes stages of grief.
What is Kübler-Ross?
Why is screening the shoulder important in hand evaluation?
Proximal issues can impact distal function
Early intervention goal after tendon repair.
What is controlled motion / preventing stiffness?
Key OT rule for using PAMs.
Must be tied to occupation-based intervention
Why must OT consider vital signs before treatment?
Medical instability and safety risk
Primary OT focus in hospice.
Quality of life and participation
Why must OT consider occupation during hand rehab, not just ROM/strength?
Because function and participation are the ultimate goals
Why is early motion important after tendon repair, but still risky?
Prevents adhesions but risks rupture if overdone
Why shouldn’t PAMs be used alone in OT?
They don’t address function or occupational performance
Why is energy conservation critical in cancer rehab?
Fatigue is not proportional to activity and limits function
Why is occupation still important at end of life?
Supports identity, meaning, and dignity