Objective assessment

How it is used

Also called the objective examination or physical examination. It follows the subjective part and includes observation, range of motion, muscle strength, palpation, neurological tests and special tests. It is the O in SOAP notes. Findings should be measurable so that they can be compared later.

Example sentences

1. The objective assessment showed weak hip muscles and reduced ankle movement.

2. I'll start the objective assessment by watching you walk.

Common collocations

• objective findings
• objective examination
• carry out an objective assessment
• objective markers

Related terms

• subjective assessmentThe first part of a physiotherapy assessment, in which the patient describes their problem, symptoms, history and goals in their own words.
• palpationExamining the body by feeling it carefully with the hands, to find tenderness, swelling, muscle tightness, temperature changes or the position of structures.
• special testA specific physical test used to check whether a particular structure, such as a ligament or tendon, is likely to be the source of the problem.
• manual muscle testingA way of grading muscle strength by asking the patient to move or hold against gravity and against the physiotherapist's resistance, usually scored from 0 to 5.
• goniometerA measuring tool with two arms joined at a hinge, used to measure the angle of a joint in degrees.

More terms: Assessment and Examination

• assessment
• posture
• swelling
• pain scale
• tenderness
• outcome measure
• red flags
• referred pain
• end feel