Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

Which nerve levels are blocked by regional anesthesia TAP blocks?

1. T1-T5

2. T7-L1

3. L1-L3

4. T10-T12

The correct answer is: T7-L1

The correct nerve levels blocked by transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are T7 to L1. TAP blocks involve the injection of local anesthetic into the plane between the transversus abdominis muscle and the internal oblique muscle, which provides analgesia to the anterior abdominal wall, generally affecting the lower thoracic and upper lumbar nerves. By targeting the T7 to L1 levels, the TAP block effectively anesthetizes the lower ribs and the area around the umbilicus. This is particularly useful for providing pain relief after abdominal surgeries, as it covers the sensory innervation of the abdomen from the anterior thoracic and lumbar regions. Other options don't accurately reflect the specific areas impacted by TAP blocks. The range from T1 to T5 is higher than what the TAP block covers, focusing more on the upper chest and shoulder areas, which are not relevant to TAP block applications. The L1 to L3 range pertains to the lower lumbar nerves, which are also not primarily impacted by the TAP block itself. T10 to T12 somewhat overlaps with the effective range but does not capture the full spectrum of anesthesia extended by TAP blocks, which is inclusive of T7 through L1.