Home Health Aide Practice Exam

What term describes the permanent and painful shortening of a joint and muscle?

1. Atrophy

2. Contracture

3. Dislocation

4. Spasm

The correct answer is: Contracture

The term that accurately describes the permanent and painful shortening of a joint and muscle is "contracture." A contracture occurs when the muscles or tendons surrounding a joint become tight, leading to a limited range of motion and often resulting in pain. This condition can be associated with various factors, including inactivity, scarring from injuries, or certain medical conditions. In contrast, atrophy refers to the wasting away or reduction of muscle mass due to lack of use or a medical condition, which does not imply the same level of pain or degradation of joint function. Dislocation describes the displacement of a bone from its normal joint position, which is an acute injury rather than a chronic condition like a contracture. Lastly, a spasm refers to an involuntary muscle contraction, which might cause temporary pain but does not result in permanent shortening of the muscle or joint. Thus, "contracture" is the most suitable term for the description provided.