Assess sensation in the context of the skilled reason and document the judgment:
Sensation by area (light touch, and protective sensation — e.g., monofilament testing of the feet where used), the distribution (stocking-glove neuropathy vs a dermatomal or hemibody pattern), and any change from baseline.
The safety consequences: skin and feet for unnoticed breakdown or injury, temperature-related risk (unfelt heat/cold), and the contribution to falls and mobility.
For a spinal-cord level or an acute change, the sensory level and any associated motor or bowel/bladder change (a red flag).
MDS-supportive data
Function is coded in MDS Section GG and cognition in Section C, with the diagnosis (neuropathy, spinal-cord injury, stroke) in Section I. The record must document the sensory assessment, any change, and the protective management so the MDS is supported.
