Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

What defines a strain?

1. A tear in the muscle

2. A lesser injury resulting from overuse or overstretching

3. A complete tear of ligaments

4. An injury requiring surgery

The correct answer is: A lesser injury resulting from overuse or overstretching

A strain is defined as an injury to a muscle or tendon that occurs when these soft tissues are overstretched or overused, leading to damage that is generally less severe than a complete tear. This can include muscle fibers becoming overstretched, small tears, or inflammation of the muscle as a result of excessive force or repetitive motion. Choosing the option that identifies a strain as a lesser injury resulting from overuse or overstretching aligns with the common understanding that strains typically do not involve major tearing or severe damage. In contrast, other options describe more serious injuries, such as complete tears of ligaments or conditions requiring surgical intervention, which do not fit the standard definition of a strain. Thus, the definition provided in the chosen response accurately captures the nature of a strain in medical terminology.