AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

What condition is associated with mechanical compression of a nerve in the wrist?

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2. Bursitis

3. Tendinitis

4. Adhesions

The correct answer is: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is characterized by the mechanical compression of the median nerve as it travels through the wrist, specifically within the carpal tunnel. This condition is common among individuals who engage in repetitive wrist and hand movements, leading to swelling and increased pressure within the confined space of the tunnel. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand, especially in the thumb and first three fingers. Bursitis, on the other hand, refers to inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and soft tissues, and typically does not involve nerve compression. Tendinitis involves inflammation of a tendon and is not directly related to nerve compression either. Adhesions refer to abnormal bands of scar tissue that can form between organs and tissues, though they do not specifically pertain to nerve compression in the context of the wrist. Thus, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the only condition directly connected to the compression of a nerve within the wrist.