Contraindications to assessing muscle strength
Contraindications to assessing muscle strength and providing muscle strengthening exercises
For more information about the contraindications to mobility and motor function assessment, please see the ‘Introduction to mobility, motor functions and pain’ module.
Question
Which of the following is NOT a contraindication to assessing muscle strength?
- a. Severe pain
- b. Untreated fracture
- c. Infection
- d. History of falls or loss of balance
If you selected d, you are correct.
A history of falls or loss of balance is not a contraindication to assessing muscle strength. Always select a safe starting position for a person with balance difficulties before testing their muscle strength.
When you are assessing a person’s muscle strength, they start experiencing severe shortness of breath, what should you do?
- a. Keep assessing muscle strength and monitor symptoms
- b. Immediately stop assessing muscle strength and call for medical assistance
If you selected b, you are correct.
If a person is experiencing severe shortness of breath, you should stop assessing muscle strength and call for medical assistance. It is important to monitor the person for signs of pain or distress while you are assessing muscle strength.
If you have difficulty answering these questions, refer back to ‘Introduction to mobility, motor functions and pain’ module.
