College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

What does a positive test for arterial compression during the ROOS Test (EAST, AER) indicate?

1. Swelling and cyanosis

2. Arm pallor when elevated

3. Arm hyperemia when lowered

4. Normal vascular response

The correct answer is: Swelling and cyanosis

A positive test for arterial compression during the ROOS Test indicates swelling and cyanosis, which suggests compromised blood flow to the arm. This test is used to evaluate thoracic outlet syndrome, where various structures in the thoracic outlet can compress the brachial plexus and subclavian vessels. When the test is positive, the presence of swelling and cyanosis points to insufficient arterial supply due to compression, which can be a significant finding in diagnosing vascular entrapments. In the context of the ROOS Test, if there is swelling and cyanosis, it indicates that the blood flow to the arm is impaired when the arms are elevated, reflecting possible alteration in venous return and arterial supply. This can lead to symptoms such as pain or heaviness in the arms. Other responses, such as arm pallor when elevated or arm hyperemia when lowered, would suggest different vascular responses but do not accurately represent the scenario of arterial compression. A normal vascular response would indicate no signs of insufficient blood flow, which contradicts the findings of a positive test that are indicative of vascular compromise. Thus, swelling and cyanosis are the hallmark indicators when assessing for problems associated with arterial compression during this particular test.