Musculoskeletal System Assessment

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Questions and Answers

What are the three main components of the musculoskeletal system?

Muscles, bones, and joints

What is muscle tone, and how is it described?

Muscle tone is the resistance of a muscle to passive stretching, describing its stiffness or elasticity.

What is the difference between intention tremor and resting tremor?

Intention tremor is more apparent during voluntary movement, while resting tremor is more apparent when the client is relaxed and diminishes with activity.

What is fasciculation, and what does it appear as?

Fasciculation is an abnormal contraction of a bundle of muscle fibers, appearing as a twitch. Signup and view all the answers

What is crepitation, and how is it assessed?

Crepitation is a crackling, grating sound, assessed through joint evaluation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of motion, and how is it assessed?

Range of motion is the maximum movement possible for a joint, assessed through joint evaluation. Signup and view all the answers

What is atrophy, and what is hypertrophy?

Atrophy is a decrease in muscle size, while hypertrophy is an increase in muscle size. Signup and view all the answers

What is the grading scale for muscle strength, and what does a score of 3 indicate?

The grading scale for muscle strength is 0-5, and a score of 3 indicates active movement of the body part against gravity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between active movement against gravity only and active movement against gravity and some resistance?

Active movement against gravity only is when the muscle contracts to move the joint against the force of gravity, whereas active movement against gravity and some resistance is when the muscle contracts to move the joint against both gravity and some external resistance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of observing a patient's gait during inspection?

Observing a patient's gait during inspection helps identify any abnormalities or deviations from normal gait, which can indicate underlying neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of palpation in assessing muscle tone and function?

Palpation is used to assess muscle tone and function by feeling the muscle's resistance to passive movement, which can help identify any abnormalities such as flaccid, hypertonic, or hypotonic muscles. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of crepitus in assessing joint function?

Crepitus is a sign of abnormal joint function, often indicative of osteoarthritis or other joint disorders, and can be palpated or audible during joint movement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a goniometer in physical examination?

A goniometer is used to measure the angle of the joint, which can help assess range of motion and identify any limitations or abnormalities in joint movement. Signup and view all the answers

What is footdrop, and what is its significance in physical examination?

Footdrop is a characteristic sign of certain peripheral nerve or motor neuron disorders, characterized by plantar flexion of the foot with the toes bent toward the instep. Signup and view all the answers

What is muscle atrophy, and what are its causes?

Muscle atrophy, or muscle wasting, is a result of denervation, prolonged muscle disuse, aging, or nutritional deficiency, such as Kwashiorkor. Signup and view all the answers

What is scoliosis, and what are its characteristic findings?

Scoliosis is a lateral deviation of the spine, characterized by a patient leaning to the side, uneven shoulder blade height, unequal distance between the arms and the body, and asymmetrical waistline. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Musculoskeletal System Assessment

The musculoskeletal system includes muscles, bones, and joints.
Muscles are assessed on strength, tone, size/mass, symmetry, tremors, and pain.

Muscles

Muscle tone describes muscular resistance to passive stretching.
Muscle size/mass is measured circumferentially on the largest area of the muscle.
Muscle symmetry is compared on both sides of the body.
Tremors are involuntary trembling of a limb or body part, and can be of two types:
- Intention tremor: more apparent when attempting a voluntary movement.
- Resting tremor: more apparent when the client is relaxed and diminishes with activity.
Fasciculation is an abnormal contraction of a bundle of muscle fibers that appears as a twitch.

Joints

Joints are assessed on tenderness, swelling, thickening, pain, crepitation, and range of motion.
Crepitation is a crackling, grating sound.

Bones

Bones are assessed on normal form.

Muscle Strength Grading (Scale 0-5)

0: No detection of muscular contraction.
1: Barely detectable flicker or trace of contraction.
2: Active movement of body part with elimination of gravity.
3: Active movement against gravity only and not against resistance.
4: Active movement against gravity and some resistance.
5: Active movement against full resistance without evident fatigue (normal muscle strength).

Inspection

Body structure is assessed for proper posture and body alignment.
Misaligned spine, curvature of the spine, and unusual gait are abnormal findings.
Involuntary movements, tremors, and tics are also assessed.

Palpation

Temperature, tenderness, swelling, enlargement, and crepitus are assessed.
Muscle tone is evaluated for consistency and symmetry.
Range of motion and pain are also assessed.

Special Tests

Goniometer measures the angle of the joint.
Abnormal findings include:
- Footdrop: plantar flexion of the foot with the toes bent toward the instep.
- Muscle spasms or cramps: strong, painful contractions.
- Muscle weakness: can result from malfunction in the central or peripheral nervous system, or within the muscle itself.
- Muscle atrophy: muscle wasting due to denervation, disuse, aging, or nutritional deficiency.

Spinal Abnormalities

Scoliosis: lateral deviation of the spine, with uneven shoulder blade height, unequal distance between the arms and the body, and asymmetrical waistline.
Kyphosis: abnormal curvature of the thoracic spine.
Lordosis: abnormal curvature of the lumbar spine.

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Description

This quiz assesses the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones, and joints, and covers topics such as muscle strength, tone, and size, as well as tremors and pain.