Which of these is an unexpected finding for a neurological system assessment?

Choice A reason: Dysesthesia refers to abnormal sensations, often painful, like burning or aching, due to nerve damage. While related to sensory nerve dysfunction, it does not specifically describe the pins and needles sensation, which is better characterized by paresthesia, making this term less precise for the patient’s complaint.

Choice B reason: Paresthesia describes abnormal sensations like pins and needles, typically from nerve compression or irritation, as in carpal tunnel syndrome. It accurately captures the patient’s reported left-hand sensation, aligning with clinical terminology for documenting transient or chronic sensory nerve disturbances, making it the appropriate term.

Choice C reason: Proprioception is the sense of body position, mediated by sensory receptors in muscles and joints, not related to pins and needles sensations. It involves spatial awareness, not cutaneous sensory abnormalities, so this term is irrelevant to the patient’s sensory complaint in the left hand.

Choice D reason: A sprain is a ligament injury, causing pain and swelling, not sensory disturbances like pins and needles. It is a musculoskeletal issue, unrelated to neurological symptoms of nerve irritation, making this term inappropriate for documenting the patient’s sensory nerve-related complaint.

Choice A reason: Painful urination, or dysuria, involves discomfort during voiding, often due to urinary tract infections or inflammation. It is not synonymous with nocturia, which specifically refers to frequent nighttime urination. Dysuria requires distinct clinical evaluation, including urinalysis, to identify causes like bacterial infection or urethral irritation, making this an incorrect description of the patient’s complaint.

Choice B reason: Nocturia is the medical term for frequent urination at night, disrupting sleep. In elderly patients, it may result from reduced bladder capacity, overactive bladder, or conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia. This matches the patient’s complaint, as it directly addresses the symptom without implying unrelated issues like pain or incontinence, making it the accurate choice.

Choice C reason: Bladder incontinence involves involuntary urine leakage, distinct from nocturia, which is voluntary urination at night. Incontinence may stem from neurological disorders or weakened pelvic muscles but does not describe the patient’s symptom of frequent nighttime voiding. This choice is incorrect, as it misaligns with the clinical presentation described.

Choice D reason: An inability to void, or urinary retention, is the opposite of nocturia, where the patient voids frequently. Retention may result from obstructions like an enlarged prostate or neurological issues, requiring catheterization or imaging for diagnosis. This choice does not reflect the patient’s symptom of active, frequent urination at night.