Definition Corner:
What Is a Wake-up Test?
Published on Mon Feb 27, 2006
A wake-up test detects any malfunction in the patient's spinal cord during surgery.
The anesthesiologist wakes the patient during surgery and asks her to move her feet as a test for spinal cord function. Because the anesthesiologist provides sedation during the wake-up test, the patient has no recollection of being awakened during surgery.
The test results alert the physicians of any changes they might need to make during the procedure to ensure the patient's safety.
