Hand Drop Test

Davis and Curmudgeon probably already know about this, and I daresay use it regularly. For the rest of us, it makes interesting reading. I can't imagine why a nominal adult would be faking unconsciousness, (one of the reasons I'm not a cop or fireman is I don't want to deal with such people every day), but I can see how the results of finding a faker in this manner would be rather amusing.

What we’re going to do with the hand drop test is test the patients muscle tone and cognitive ablitity with one move. Without warning, we gently pick up the patients hand and hold it above their face. Without delay, we drop it. If the patient were truely unconsious, the hand would fall and strike them in the face. Most likely on the mouth or chin. We’re not going to let that happen, but the patient doesn’t know that.

You see, the instant that we drop the hand, the patient has a decision to make. Patients don’t know what their hands are supposed to do when dropped over their face and the idea of striking themselves is instantly unappealing. But what to do instead? The resulting dilemma is both revealing and, often, hilarious. The amusing nature of watching a conscious patient decide what to do with their falling hand is certainly part of the popularity of this exam.

Another reason I couldn't do that job: I'd be sorely tempted to wrap their hand around a roll of quarters before dropping it on their face. Empathy ain't my strong suit.