Peripheral nerve injuries: regimental badge area: 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 · Peripheral nerve injuries: regimental badge area

Sample item

After an anterior shoulder dislocation, a patient has numbness over a small patch on the lateral upper arm, over the deltoid. Which additional finding is expected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Weak abduction of the arm from 15 to 90 degrees

The axillary nerve supplies the deltoid and teres minor, and gives sensation to the regimental badge area over the lateral deltoid. After injury the patient has weak or absent deltoid action, so abduction beyond the first 15 degrees is lost, since supraspinatus initiates it.

Option by option

  • A. Loss of finger abduction

    Finger abduction depends on the ulnar nerve through the interossei.

  • B. Weak abduction of the arm from 15 to 90 degrees (correct)

    Correct. Paralysis of the deltoid weakens abduction beyond the supraspinatus range.

  • C. Inability to extend the wrist

    Wrist extension is supplied by the radial nerve.

  • D. Weak elbow flexion

    Elbow flexion depends on the musculocutaneous nerve.

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.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is B, Weak abduction of the arm from 15 to 90 degrees. The axillary nerve supplies the deltoid and teres minor, and gives sensation to the regimental badge area over the lateral deltoid.

Why is "Loss of finger abduction" not the answer?

Finger abduction depends on the ulnar nerve through the interossei.

Why is "Inability to extend the wrist" not the answer?

Wrist extension is supplied by the radial nerve.

Why is "Weak elbow flexion" not the answer?

Elbow flexion depends on the musculocutaneous nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Peripheral nerve injuries: regimental badge area in Orthopaedics. After injury the patient has weak or absent deltoid action, so abduction beyond the first 15 degrees is lost, since supraspinatus initiates it.

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 Peripheral nerve injuries: regimental badge area?

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.