During a general musculoskeletal assessment, which of the following would help the nurse determine the client's muscle strength?
A) Palpating each of the client's muscles and joints.
B) Asking the client to lift specified amounts of weights.
C) Examining extremities for symmetry, size, and contour.
D) Applying force to the client's extremity as the client pushes against that force.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Applying force to the client's extremity as the client pushes against that force, also known as manual muscle testing, is the most effective method for determining muscle strength during a musculoskeletal assessment. This can be done by asking the client to resist pressure while the nurse applies force to a specific muscle, such as asking the client to push their foot against the nurse's hand to test the strength of the ankle dorsiflexors. This allows the nurse to grade the strength of the muscle on a scale of 0-5. Palpating muscles and joints and examining extremities for symmetry can provide important information about musculoskeletal problems, but they do not directly assess muscle strength. Asking the client to lift weights can also provide insight into their strength, but it may not be appropriate for all clients and may not be as accurate as manual muscle testing.

During a General Musculoskeletal Assessment, Which of the Following Would