P.A. for Tone Abnormalities

Question 1

Which of the following best defines muscle tone?

A. The rigidity of muscles when an individual is under stress
B. A muscle’s passive resistance to stretch
C. The lack of tension in a muscle following a peripheral nerve lesion
D. A muscle’s active resistance to stretch

Answer 1

B. A muscle’s passive resistance to stretch

Question 2

Which two states are likely to result in increased muscle tone?

A. Increased inhibitory input or increased excitatory and input
B. Decreased inhibitory input or increased excitatory input
C. Decreased excitatory input or decreased inhibitory input
D. Decreased excitatory input or increased inhibitory input

Answer 2

B. Decreased inhibitory input or increased excitatory input

Question 3

Which of the following can cause low muscle tone by mechanisms other than alpha motor neuron damage?
A. Poliomyelitis
B. Guillain-Barre syndrome 
C. Brachial plexus injury
D. CVA

Answer 3

D. CVA

*occurs at the level of CNS

Question 4

A patient with a complete spinal cord injury is most likely to present with which pattern of muscle tone?

Answer 4

Hypotonicity (decreased res.- flaccid limb) followed by hypertonicity (increased resistance to passive stretch)