What does Homan’s sign specifically test for?

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Prepare for the Physical Assessment Lower Extremity Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Ace your test!

Multiple Choice

What does Homan’s sign specifically test for?

Explanation:
Homan’s sign is specifically used to assess for the presence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities. The test is performed by dorsiflexing the foot while the knee is straight; if this maneuver elicits pain in the calf, it may indicate the presence of a DVT. The rationale behind this is that a DVT can cause pain in the calf area due to inflammation of the veins and the presence of a thrombus. However, it is important to note that while Homan’s sign may indicate DVT, it is not a definitive diagnostic tool. The test can yield false positives and is not exclusively relied upon for diagnosing DVT, but it does serve as a useful part of a broader clinical assessment.

Homan’s sign is specifically used to assess for the presence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities. The test is performed by dorsiflexing the foot while the knee is straight; if this maneuver elicits pain in the calf, it may indicate the presence of a DVT.

The rationale behind this is that a DVT can cause pain in the calf area due to inflammation of the veins and the presence of a thrombus. However, it is important to note that while Homan’s sign may indicate DVT, it is not a definitive diagnostic tool. The test can yield false positives and is not exclusively relied upon for diagnosing DVT, but it does serve as a useful part of a broader clinical assessment.

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