During ASIA sensory testing, a patient cannot distinguish sharp versus dull at the T6 key point. How should this be scored?

During ASIA sensory testing, a patient cannot distinguish sharp versus dull at the T6 key point. How should this be scored?

• A. 0 (Absent)
• B. 1 (Altered)
• C. 2 (Normal)
• D. NT (Not testable)

Answer: (A)

Pinprick (pain) testing in the ASIA exam uses a 0/1/2 scale: Absent (no sensation), Altered (impaired sensation), or Normal (intact sensation). If a patient cannot distinguish a sharp from a dull stimulus at a dermatomal level, there is no discriminable pinprick sensation at that point, which is categorized as Absent. Had there been some pain perception but with impaired discrimination, it would be Altered; if the patient could correctly identify sharp versus dull, it would be Normal. Not testable is used only when testing cannot be performed, which isn’t the case here.

Pinprick (pain) testing in the ASIA exam uses a 0/1/2 scale: Absent (no sensation), Altered (impaired sensation), or Normal (intact sensation). If a patient cannot distinguish a sharp from a dull stimulus at a dermatomal level, there is no discriminable pinprick sensation at that point, which is categorized as Absent. Had there been some pain perception but with impaired discrimination, it would be Altered; if the patient could correctly identify sharp versus dull, it would be Normal. Not testable is used only when testing cannot be performed, which isn’t the case here.