Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

If a patient with rotator cuff tendonitis is unable to maintain the test position during a manual muscle test, what muscle grade is likely?

1. Fair

2. Good minus

3. Fair minus

4. Good

The correct answer is: Fair minus

In the context of manual muscle testing, the ability of a patient to maintain a test position is crucial for determining the muscle grade. When a patient has rotator cuff tendonitis and is unable to maintain the test position, this indicates that they do not have sufficient strength to hold against gravity or resistance, which is typically evaluated during the test. A muscle grade of "Fair minus" suggests that the patient can complete the movement in a gravity-eliminated position but cannot maintain it against gravity. This aligns with the scenario described, where the patient cannot maintain the test position due to the weakness associated with their condition. In such cases, the definition of Fair minus reveals that the muscle can achieve the motion through a full range but lacks the strength to perform it against gravity without losing position. Other grades indicate either greater strength or ability to resist or hold the test position, which would not be applicable here since the patient's inability to maintain the test position reflects a significant limitation in muscle function. Therefore, Fair minus is the appropriate classification for the muscle grade in this situation.