Skill: Assessing the Musculoskeletal System

Performed
Preparation Yes No Mastered Comments
1. Assemble equipment:
 Goniometer
Procedure
1. Introduce yourself and verify the
client’s identity. Explain to the
client what you are going to do,
why it is necessary, and how the
client can cooperate.
2. Perform hand hygiene and observe
other appropriate infection control
procedures.
3. Provide for client privacy.
4. Inquire if client has any history of
the following:
 Muscle pain: onset, location,
character, associated phenomena,
and aggravating and alleviating
factors
 Any limitations to movement or
inability to perform activities of
daily living
 Previous sports injuries
 Any loss of function without pain

Assessment

Muscles
5. Inspect the muscles for size.
Compare each muscle on one side of
the body to the same muscle on the
other side. For any apparent
discrepancies, measure the muscles
with a tape.
6. Inspect the muscles and tendons for
contractures.
7. Inspect the muscles for tremors.
Inspect any tremors of the hands and
arms by having the client hold arms
out in front of body.
8. Palpate muscles at rest to
determine muscle tonicity.
9. Palpate muscles while the client is
active and passive for flaccidity,
spasticity, and smoothness of
movement.
10. Test muscle strength. Compare the
right side with left side.
 Bones
11. Inspect the skeleton for normal
structure and deformities.
12. Palpate the bones to locate any
areas of edema or tenderness.

Joints
13. Inspect the joint for swelling.
Palpate each joint for tenderness,
smoothness of movement, swelling,
crepitation, and presence of nodules.
14. Assess joint range of motion.
Ask the client to move selected body
parts. If available, use a goniometer
to measure the angle of the joint in
degrees.
15. Document findings in the client
record.