During a musculoskeletal assessment, which abnormal finding might be noted?

The presence of fasciculations is considered an abnormal finding during a musculoskeletal assessment because fasciculations are involuntary muscle contractions that can signal underlying neurological or muscular conditions. Typically, muscle contractions are voluntary and controlled. When a patient exhibits fasciculations, it might indicate issues such as nerve damage, electrolyte imbalances, or diseases affecting the motor neurons, like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or peripheral nerve disease.

Normal joint range of motion, muscle strength within normal limits, and absence of tenderness on palpation all represent typical findings that would indicate normal musculoskeletal function. Therefore, these choices would not be classified as abnormal during an assessment. The presence of fasciculations stands out as a notable indicator of possible dysfunction or pathology, thus marking it as the correct answer in this context.