American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What manifests as wrist or foot drop in patients?

1. Neuropathy

2. Myopathy

3. Radiculopathy

4. Allergic reaction

The correct answer is: Neuropathy

Wrist or foot drop is primarily a manifestation of neuropathy, which refers to damage or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves. When neuropathy occurs, particularly involving the peroneal nerve in the case of foot drop or the radial nerve for wrist drop, patients experience weakness in the affected areas. This leads to difficulty in lifting the wrist or foot, resulting in the described conditions. Neuropathy can stem from various causes, including diabetes, trauma, or compression of nerves. These conditions specifically impact the motor function of the extremities, leading to the characteristic dropping of the wrist or foot. The underlying pathophysiology is crucial to understand in internal medicine, as it aids in diagnosing and managing the diverse range of conditions that can lead to such neurological deficits. Other options do not directly correlate with wrist or foot drop. Myopathy involves muscle weakness due to primary muscle disorders rather than nerve dysfunction. Radiculopathy is related to nerve root issues, which may cause weakness but typically does not localize solely to wrist or foot drop. Allergic reactions do not have an association with motor deficits of this nature. Understanding these distinctions is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment strategies in clinical practice.