BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NURSING
Health Assessment RLE

Date Performed: Final Grade:

Clinical Instructor:

Assessing the Musculoskeletal System

Definition:

Objectives:
1.

2.

3.
Safety/Security Measures:
1.

2.

3.
Pre-procedural Preparations:
1. Wash hands
2. Introduce yourself to the client and identify client’s identity. Explain what you are going to
do, why it is necessary, and how the client can cooperate.
3. Gather the necessary equipment.
4. Provide Privacy
Equipment:
Goniometer

Procedure Able to Unable to

perform perform

1.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
2. Inspect the muscles for size.
3.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.
4. Inspect the muscles and tendons for contractures.
 BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Health Assessment RLE
5. Inspect the muscles for tremors.
6.Inspect any tremors of the hands and arms by having the client hold
arms out in front of body.
7. Palpate muscles at rest to determine muscle tonicity.
8. Palpate muscles while the client is active and passive for flaccidity,
spasticity, and smoothness of movement.
9. Test muscle strength. Compare the right side with left side.

Bones
10. Inspect the skeleton for normal structure and deformities.
11. Palpate the bones to locate any areas of edema or tenderness.

Joints
12. Inspect the joint for swelling.
13.Palpate each joint for tenderness, smoothness of movement,
swelling, crepitation, and presence of nodules.
14. Assess joint range of motion.
15.Ask the client to move selected body parts. If available, use a
goniometer to measure the angle of the joint in degrees.
16. Document findings in the client record.
17. Ability to Answer questions
18. Definition
19. Objectives
20. Safety/Security measures
Total score
Equivalent grade

Remarks:
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Name and Signature of Instructor:

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