Every body region is examined inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation — except one. Build the sequence for a region and find out which. Then grade muscle strength 0 to 5 from what the patient actually does, and measure a joint in degrees instead of adjectives, so the nurse who follows you gets the same number you did.
Choose the region you are about to examine, then click the four techniques in the order you would perform them. One region on this list breaks the rule.
Read what the patient does, then assign the grade. Test the group in isolation, stabilize the joint above it, apply resistance through mid-range, and grade each side separately.
At the bedside
0
Graded
0
Correct
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Accuracy
Range of motion is charted in degrees from anatomic zero, not in adjectives. Enter what you measured and compare it with the expected adult range.
Active versus passive
Active range first. If active is full you do not need passive. If active is limited, do passive slowly to resistance or pain — and then stop.
What it means
Pick a region and place all four steps.The order you choose is the order the findings will be trustworthy in — or not.
Rule. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation — in that order, in every region except the abdomen.