Which sign is elicited by inflating a blood pressure cuff to induce carpal spasm?

• A. Chvostek sign
• B. Trousseau sign
• C. Babinski sign
• D. Romberg sign

Answer: (B)

Trousseau sign is elicited by inflating a blood pressure cuff to occlude the arm, which provokes a carpopedal spasm. This happens because the ischemia from cuff inflation increases neuromuscular irritability, revealing latent tetany typically due to low calcium. A positive sign is the hand and fingers going into a claw-like spasm when the cuff remains inflated. This is a classic indicator of hypocalcemia (or other causes of increased neuromuscular excitability).

Other signs serve different purposes: Chvostek sign is a facial twitch response to tapping the cheek, Babinski sign is a plantar reflex indicating an upper motor neuron lesion, and Romberg assesses balance and proprioception.