Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

Which condition specifically affects the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis?

1. Raynaud's syndrome

2. Tennis elbow

3. DeQuervain's Disease

4. Trigger Finger

The correct answer is: DeQuervain's Disease

DeQuervain's Disease specifically affects the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis muscles. This condition involves inflammation of the tendons that control thumb movement, leading to pain and discomfort in the wrist and thumb area, particularly during activities that involve pinching or grasping. The anatomical relationship wherein these tendons run through a common sheath makes them susceptible to irritation and swelling, which is characteristic of DeQuervain's. In contrast, Raynaud's syndrome primarily affects blood vessels and results in reduced blood flow to extremities, while tennis elbow affects the tendons of the forearm, and trigger finger involves a different set of tendons. Each of these conditions impacts distinct anatomical structures and demonstrates different symptoms, underscoring the specificity of DeQuervain's Disease in relation to the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis.