{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Brainscape", "url": "https://www.brainscape.com/", "logo": "https://www.brainscape.com/pks/images/cms/public-views/shared/Brainscape-logo-c4e172b280b4616f7fda.svg", "sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/Brainscape", "https://x.com/brainscape", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainscape", "https://www.instagram.com/brainscape/", "https://www.tiktok.com/@brainscapeu", "https://www.pinterest.com/brainscape/", "https://www.youtube.com/@BrainscapeNY" ], "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "(929) 334-4005", "contactType": "customer service", "availableLanguage": ["English"] }, "founder": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew Cohen" }, "description": "Brainscape’s spaced repetition system is proven to DOUBLE learning results! Find, make, and study flashcards online or in our mobile app. Serious learners only.", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "159 W 25th St, Ste 517", "addressLocality": "New York", "addressRegion": "NY", "postalCode": "10001", "addressCountry": "USA" } }
Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Neuro Rehab I > Motor Assessment > Flashcards

Motor Assessment Flashcards

(77 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is the main difference between UMN and LMN lesions?

A

UMN lesions show spasticity and hyperreflexia; LMN lesions show flaccidity and hyporeflexia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are signs of an upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion?

A

Hemiplegia, spastic hypertonia, hyperreflexia, clonus, Babinski sign.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are signs of a lower motor neuron (LMN) lesion?

A

Paresis, flaccidity, atrophy, hyporeflexia, fasciculations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What limits PROM?

A

Spasticity, contractures.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is observed to assess muscle bulk?

A

Visual symmetry and limb circumference measurements.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What type of lesion typically causes severe atrophy?

A

LMN lesion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What type of lesion typically causes mild or disuse atrophy?

A

UMN lesion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When is MMT valid?

A

When isolated movement is possible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why might MMT not be valid in UMN lesions?

A

Because spasticity or lack of selective motor control may prevent isolated movement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What tool can provide objective strength measurement?

A

Dynamometer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does a quick myotome screen assess?

A

Motor function integrity by testing key muscles innervated by spinal nerves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is hypertonia?

A

Increased resistance to passive movement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What can cause hypertonia?

A

UMN lesions or basal ganglia dysfunction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is hypotonia?

A

Decreased resistance to passive movement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What causes hypotonia?

A

LMN lesions or cerebellar involvement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is rigidity?

A

Increased resistance regardless of speed or direction; suggests basal ganglia involvement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the two types of rigidity?

A

Cogwheel and lead-pipe rigidity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is cogwheel rigidity?

A

Catch-and-release resistance with tremor superimposed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is lead-pipe rigidity?

A

Uniform, constant resistance throughout the range.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is spasticity?

A

Velocity-dependent resistance, often greater in one direction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the clasp-knife phenomenon?

A

Sudden release of resistance at the end of a spastic range.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What does spasticity indicate?

A

UMN involvement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How does a hypertonic limb appear?

A

Held in antigravity posture with increased resistance to movement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How does a flaccid limb appear?

A

Limp and heavy with little to no resistance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the arm dropping test used for?
Comparing muscle tone by observing return rate to resting position.
26
What does a fast return in the arm dropping test indicate?
Hypotonia.
27
What does a slow return in the arm dropping test indicate?
Hypertonia.
28
What is the pronator drift test?
Patient holds arms outstretched in supination; drifting or pronation suggests weakness or spasticity.
29
What is the pendulum test used for?
Assessing spasticity in lower limbs, particularly the knee.
30
How is muscle tone tested passively?
By moving the limb while the patient relaxes and assessing resistance.
31
What increases resistance in spasticity testing?
Faster speed of passive movement.
32
What is the Modified Ashworth Scale used for?
Grading spasticity by resistance to passive movement.
33
What position is required for Modified Ashworth testing?
Supine.
34
What movements are tested in the Modified Ashworth Scale?
Elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle flexion/extension and hip abduction/adduction.
35
What are common deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) tested?
Biceps, brachioradialis, triceps, patella, Achilles.
36
What spinal levels correspond to the biceps reflex?
C5–C6.
37
What spinal levels correspond to the brachioradialis reflex?
C6–C7.
38
What spinal levels correspond to the triceps reflex?
C6–C7–C8.
39
What spinal levels correspond to the patellar reflex?
L3–L4.
40
What spinal levels correspond to the Achilles reflex?
S1–S2.
41
What is the plantar reflex?
Stroking the lateral sole of the foot and across metatarsals.
42
What is a normal plantar reflex response?
Flexion of the great toe and possibly other toes.
43
What is a positive Babinski sign?
Extension of the great toe and splaying of the other toes.
44
What does a positive Babinski sign indicate?
UMN lesion.
45
What is clonus?
Rhythmic, involuntary contractions in response to sudden stretch.
46
How is clonus tested?
By rapidly dorsiflexing the ankle or extending the wrist and maintaining pressure.
47
What does sustained clonus indicate?
Significant UMN involvement.
48
How is clonus documented?
By counting the number of beats or noting sustained response.
49
What is fasciculation?
Involuntary muscle twitching from LMN lesions.
50
What is the significance of DTR grading?
It helps identify hyperreflexia (UMN) or hyporeflexia (LMN).
51
What is the purpose of reflex testing in motor exams?
To assess integrity of spinal cord and motor neuron pathways.
52
What is the importance of observing muscle posturing?
It can indicate chronic tone abnormalities or reflex dominance.
53
What causes clasp-knife tone?
Initial resistance due to spasticity followed by sudden release.
54
What is flaccidity?
Complete loss of muscle tone.
55
What type of tone change is associated with basal ganglia disorders?
Rigidity.
56
What type of tone change is associated with cerebellar damage?
Hypotonia.
57
What is the clinical value of myotome testing?
Helps localize spinal cord or nerve root dysfunction.
58
What does tone feel like in a healthy limb?
Responsive and light, with no abnormal resistance.
59
What causes heaviness in a limb during passive testing?
Flaccidity or hypotonia.
60
What causes stiffness during passive testing?
Hypertonia.
61
What does variability in resistance during passive motion suggest?
Rigidity or spasticity.
62
How does the Modified Ashworth scale rank tone?
0 = no increase in tone; 4 = affected part rigid.
63
Why is consistent technique important during tone testing?
To ensure accurate, reproducible results.
64
What is the difference between reflexive and voluntary movement?
Reflexive = automatic responses; voluntary = intentional, cortical-driven actions.
65
What is posturing?
Stereotyped limb positioning due to tone imbalance or brain injury.
66
What is decerebrate posturing?
Extension in all extremities; indicates brainstem damage.
67
What is decorticate posturing?
Flexion of upper extremities, extension of lower; indicates cortical damage.
68
What is tone grading based on?
Resistance to passive stretch and limb responsiveness.
69
What should be observed before moving a limb?
Posture, position, and spontaneous activity.
70
How do you differentiate between rigidity and spasticity?
Rigidity is non-velocity-dependent; spasticity is velocity-dependent.
71
How do you test joint integrity in the presence of spasticity?
Avoid fast movements; assess slowly and gently.
72
What is the value of reflexes in differentiating UMN vs. LMN?
Hyperreflexia = UMN; hyporeflexia = LMN.
73
What is the clinical significance of pronator drift?
Indicates subtle weakness or early signs of spasticity.
74
Why is the neuro exam done in a structured sequence?
To interpret results in relation to arousal, sensory, motor, and reflex status.
75
What should motor exam findings be integrated with?
Sensory testing and reflexes to define UMN vs. LMN involvement.
76
What is the role of the basal ganglia in tone?
Regulation of tone and coordination of movement.
77
Why should tone be assessed before stretching?
To avoid increasing spasticity during range of motion.

Neuro Rehab I (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions