Medical Term Clarification

[ClimbingRN2b]

I know this is a no brainier but I need to dispute an exam question and i need some opinions and a link to credible information that i could show my instructor would be even better

Does the dorsal aspect of the hand refer to the palm or the back of the hand?

Thanks

[SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN]

Yep, I remember dorsal fin too!*L*

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

Ok..regarding the dorsal part of the hand. You have 2 sides of your hand correct? Palmar, and dorsal...the palm is, well on the palmar surface. Just like your foot, plantar and dorsal. You plant with the bottom. Dorsal can only be 1 other place. :)

You have to remember what pallor is. It's involved with blood flow, anemia, etc. You assess for pallor on the palm of the hand, similarly to the way you check the capillary refill. I also found a few articles that mention it so you can have that source. Yes, your palm will be lighter than the rest of you, but you should be able to see that pink from the blood flow. You can perform the Allen test and you'll be able to see pale vs. normal on your hand.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2487006/

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/129/9/1675.short

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Ok seriously easiest way to remember dorsal side of hand is think of anatomical position. PALMS are up therefore the back side of the hand is dorsal.

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

or your palm is on the palmar surface... =)

[SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P]

dudette10,

I wrote this half awake and the typos are glaring. Thank you for the help.

I am aware that the dorsal aspect of the hand is the back of the hand but my teacher said that dorsal was the correct answer regarding pallor assessment.

I think my instructor has made a mistake and is referring to the dorsal aspect of the hand as if it were the palm.

What were your choices?

Most of the nursing books I used recommend the mucous membranes, buccal mucosa, gums, or conjunctiva to assess for pallor in dark skinned people.