Tingling, numbness and pain in the thumb and fingers of a pregnant women suggestive of which condition? mcq given below:
Q. Tingling, numbness and pain in the thumb and fingers of a pregnant women suggestive of which condition?(a) Osteoporosis / |
| Do you Agree with Answer comment below |
🤲 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pregnancy
✅ Answer: (c) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
📖 What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal = Wrist bones (carpal bones)
Tunnel = Narrow passage in the wrist
Syndrome = A group of signs and symptoms
👉 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes and fluid retention increase pressure within the carpal tunnel, making CTS relatively common, especially in the third trimester.
🩺 Why is Option (c) Correct?
Compression of the median nerve causes:
- ✔ Tingling (pins and needles)
- ✔ Numbness of the thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger
- ✔ Wrist and hand pain, often worse at night
- ✔ Weak grip strength in severe cases
👉 The symptoms described in the question are the classic features of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
❌ Why Other Options Are Wrong?
(a) Osteoporosis
❌ Causes reduced bone density and fractures, not numbness or tingling of the fingers.
(b) Rheumatoid Arthritis
❌ Primarily causes painful, swollen joints with morning stiffness. Although it may affect the wrist, isolated numbness of the thumb and fingers is more characteristic of CTS.
(d) Calcium Deficiency
❌ May cause muscle cramps or tetany, but it does not typically produce median nerve compression symptoms.
📝 Median Nerve Functions
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Nerve Involved | Median nerve |
| Common Symptoms | Tingling, numbness, pain, weak grip |
| Fingers Affected | Thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of ring finger |
| Common in Pregnancy | Due to fluid retention and tissue swelling |
🤲 CTS = Compression of the Median Nerve
Thumb + Tingling + Pregnancy = Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
📌 Exam Tip: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common discomfort during pregnancy due to fluid retention. Symptoms usually improve after delivery. In nursing exams, night-time numbness and tingling of the thumb, index, and middle fingers is a classic clue for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Concept clarity • Easy recall • Nursing success