How is grip strength typically tested?

Grip strength is most accurately tested by measuring the force exerted by a patient's grip on a dynamometer. This tool provides a quantifiable measure of force that can be used to assess muscular strength and function. A dynamometer allows for standardization in grip strength testing, enabling comparisons across different patients and over time.

While having a patient grip the health care provider's fingers can give a general sense of strength, it lacks the precision and reliability of using a dynamometer. The subjective nature of this approach makes it less effective in providing measurable data, which is crucial in clinical assessments. The other options, such as observing symmetry in arm movements or having the patient walk a straight line, do not assess grip strength directly and are more relevant to other aspects of physical evaluation. Therefore, the correct method of testing grip strength involves using specialized equipment designed for that purpose, validating it as the most accurate option.