A nurse assesses a client with a rotator cuff injury. Which finding should the nurse expect to assess?
a. Inability to maintain adduction of the affected arm for more than 30 seconds
b. Shoulder pain that is relieved with overhead stretches and at night
c. Inability to initiate or maintain abduction of the affected arm at the shoulder
d. Referred pain to the shoulder and arm opposite the affected shoulder
ANS: C
Clients with a rotator cuff tear are unable to initiate or maintain abduction of the affected arm at the shoulder. This is known as the drop arm test. The client should not have difficulty with adduction of the arm, nor experience referred pain to the opposite shoulder. Pain is usually more intense at night and with overhead activities.
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