Hand disorders: carpal tunnel syndrome: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Hand disorders: carpal tunnel syndrome

Sample item

A patient has nocturnal tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the ring finger. Which nerve is compressed?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Median nerve

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve beneath the flexor retinaculum. Symptoms commonly involve nocturnal paresthesia in the radial three and a half digits.

Option by option

  • A. Axillary nerve

    Axillary nerve supplies the deltoid region.

  • B. Radial nerve

    Radial nerve compression does not produce this palmar digit distribution.

  • C. Ulnar nerve

    Ulnar nerve symptoms affect the little finger and ulnar half of the ring finger.

  • D. Median nerve (correct)

    Correct. This is the median sensory distribution in the hand.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Median nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve beneath the flexor retinaculum.

Why is "Axillary nerve" not the answer?

Axillary nerve supplies the deltoid region.

Why is "Radial nerve" not the answer?

Radial nerve compression does not produce this palmar digit distribution.

Why is "Ulnar nerve" not the answer?

Ulnar nerve symptoms affect the little finger and ulnar half of the ring finger.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hand disorders: carpal tunnel syndrome in Orthopaedics. Symptoms commonly involve nocturnal paresthesia in the radial three and a half digits.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Hand disorders: carpal tunnel syndrome?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.