MMT Clinical Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When documenting an MMT grade of 3 (Fair), which functional description is most accurate?
- Full ROM against gravity, no resistance (Correct answer)
- Full ROM with gravity eliminated
- Full ROM against gravity and moderate resistance
- Palpable contraction only, no joint movement
Correct answer: Full ROM against gravity, no resistance
Grade 3 (Fair) indicates the muscle can complete full ROM against gravity but cannot tolerate any added resistance.
Question 2: A therapist documents 'MMT R shoulder abduction 4-/5.' What does the minus modifier indicate?
- The muscle completed less than 50% of available ROM against resistance
- The muscle completed more than 50% but less than full ROM against resistance (Correct answer)
- The muscle failed to hold the test position against gravity
- The muscle showed a break in the test position with minimal resistance
Correct answer: The muscle completed more than 50% but less than full ROM against resistance
A minus modifier indicates the muscle completed more than 50% but less than the full range of the grade criteria.
Question 3: Which notation correctly documents bilateral hip flexor MMT findings where both sides are grade 4?
- B hip flexors 4/5
- R hip flexors 4/5, L hip flexors 4/5
- Hip flexors 4/5 bilaterally
- Both options A and C are acceptable (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both options A and C are acceptable
Both 'B hip flexors 4/5' and 'Hip flexors 4/5 bilaterally' are clinically acceptable shorthand notations for bilateral findings.
Question 4: In an MMT flow sheet, what information is typically recorded in the column header?
- Muscle grade and therapist initials only
- Date of assessment, therapist initials, and assessment context (Correct answer)
- Patient diagnosis and insurance information
- ROM measurements and pain scores
Correct answer: Date of assessment, therapist initials, and assessment context
Flow sheet column headers typically include the assessment date, therapist initials, and relevant context such as pre/post-treatment.
Question 5: A patient's chart shows MMT documentation using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. What numerical grade corresponds to 'movement against gravity and some resistance'?
- 3
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 2
Correct answer: 4
MRC grade 4 describes movement against gravity and some resistance, distinguishing it from grade 5 which tolerates full resistance.
Question 6: When is it most appropriate to document MMT results using a gravity-eliminated position?
- When the patient is uncooperative with testing
- When the muscle is graded 0, 1, or 2 (Correct answer)
- When the therapist suspects pain inhibition
- When bilateral comparison is needed
Correct answer: When the muscle is graded 0, 1, or 2
Gravity-eliminated positions are used for grades 0–2 because these muscles cannot complete movement against gravity.
Question 7: Which statement best describes proper documentation of a 'break test' finding?
- Record the grade the therapist applied just before the muscle yielded
- Record grade 4 when any yielding occurs regardless of resistance level
- Document the maximum resistance level held before the examiner overcame the contraction (Correct answer)
- Note only that the test was performed without specifying the outcome
Correct answer: Document the maximum resistance level held before the examiner overcame the contraction
Break test documentation should reflect the maximum resistance level the patient held isometrically before the examiner overcame the contraction.
MMT Clinical Documentation 2
When documenting an MMT grade of 3 (Fair), which functional description is most accurate?