OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

What is a record of the strength of muscle contraction called?

1. A electromyography

2. anti-nuclear antibody test

3. erythrocyte sedimentation rate

4. muscle biopsy

The correct answer is: A electromyography

The term used to describe a record of the strength of muscle contraction is electromyography. This diagnostic procedure involves the use of electrodes to detect the electrical activity of muscles. When muscles contract, they produce electrical signals, and electromyography captures these signals, allowing for an assessment of muscle function and integrity. Electromyography is particularly valuable in diagnosing neuromuscular disorders, providing insight into the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. The data collected can indicate the level of muscle contraction strength, detect abnormalities, and help in the diagnosis of conditions like muscular dystrophy, neuropathies, and myopathies. The other options presented serve different diagnostic purposes. The anti-nuclear antibody test is primarily used in the evaluation of autoimmune disorders, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a nonspecific marker of inflammation, and a muscle biopsy involves taking a small sample of muscle tissue for microscopic examination. Each of these tests has its specific applications and does not specifically measure muscle contraction strength. Thus, electromyography is the appropriate choice for indicating muscle contraction characteristics.