Assessment Tools and Diagnostic Tests in Adults and Children
NURS: 6512: Advanced Health Assessment and
Diagnostic Reasoning
Walden
University
14:53:50 GMT -05:00
, Introduction
The adult assessment tool or diagnostic test that will be discussed in
this paper is the nerve conduction test or nerve conduction study. The
purpose of this paper is to address the purpose of the nerve conduction
study, how the test is conducted, and what information the test provides.
Additionally, this paper will cover the validity or reliability of the test.
What is the purpose?
A nerve conduction test is used in modern medicine to determine if
there has been an injury to the nerve or a nerve disorder (Johns Hopkins
Medicine, n.d.). The primary purpose of this diagnostic test is to evaluate any
damage that may be present to all the nerves the lead away from the brain
and spinal cord, help diagnose nerve disorders such as carpal tunnel
syndrome and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and to better pinpoint the location
of sensations such as numbness or tingling (Cedars Sinai, n.d.). Additionally,
the study is used to determine whether the nerves are transmitting electrical
signals at normal or decreased speeds (Cedars Sinai, n.d.). The study will test
both sensory and motor nerves (Fuller, 2005).
How is it conducted?
To complete the test, two electrodes would be attached to the
patient’s skin. One electrode emits an electrical impulse to stimulate the
nerve and the second electrode measures the response to the impulse
(Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.).
What information does it gather?
The nerve conduction test is used to gather information about the
speed and strength of the nerve signals (NHS, 2021). Based on the
NURS: 6512: Advanced Health Assessment and
Diagnostic Reasoning
Walden
University
14:53:50 GMT -05:00
, Introduction
The adult assessment tool or diagnostic test that will be discussed in
this paper is the nerve conduction test or nerve conduction study. The
purpose of this paper is to address the purpose of the nerve conduction
study, how the test is conducted, and what information the test provides.
Additionally, this paper will cover the validity or reliability of the test.
What is the purpose?
A nerve conduction test is used in modern medicine to determine if
there has been an injury to the nerve or a nerve disorder (Johns Hopkins
Medicine, n.d.). The primary purpose of this diagnostic test is to evaluate any
damage that may be present to all the nerves the lead away from the brain
and spinal cord, help diagnose nerve disorders such as carpal tunnel
syndrome and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and to better pinpoint the location
of sensations such as numbness or tingling (Cedars Sinai, n.d.). Additionally,
the study is used to determine whether the nerves are transmitting electrical
signals at normal or decreased speeds (Cedars Sinai, n.d.). The study will test
both sensory and motor nerves (Fuller, 2005).
How is it conducted?
To complete the test, two electrodes would be attached to the
patient’s skin. One electrode emits an electrical impulse to stimulate the
nerve and the second electrode measures the response to the impulse
(Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.).
What information does it gather?
The nerve conduction test is used to gather information about the
speed and strength of the nerve signals (NHS, 2021). Based on the
