Which diagnostic test measures muscle contraction as a result of electrical stimulation to assess nervous conduction?

• A. Biopsy
• B. EMG
• C. Splint
• D. Brace

Answer: (B)

Measuring how nerves communicate with muscles by observing the muscle’s electrical activity in response to stimulation is EMG. In this test, small electrodes detect the electrical signals produced when a muscle fires, either at rest or during contraction, often after briefly stimulating a nearby nerve. The timing and strength of the muscle’s electrical response reveal how well nerve impulses are being conducted to the muscle and how the muscle units are functioning. This helps diagnose neuromuscular conditions such as neuropathies or myopathies. A biopsy looks at tissue structure, not electrical activity; a splint or brace is just a supportive device to immobilize a limb, not a diagnostic test.