Arizona Orthopedic Technician
Certification Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
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1. A 42-year-old male presents to the orthopedic clinic after a fall on ice
with severe pain and deformity of the forearm. Radiographs reveal a
displaced midshaft fracture of the radius and ulna. Which of the
following is the most appropriate initial step in splinting this injury
prior to definitive fixation?
A. Apply a sugar-tong splint with the forearm in full supination
B. Apply a single posterior long arm splint with the elbow in extension
C. Apply a well-padded volar cast with the wrist in slight extension
D. Apply a short arm splint with the wrist in neutral
Rationale: The forearm fracture requires immobilization that controls
motion both proximally and distally; a well-padded volar long arm cast
with the wrist in slight extension helps maintain alignment and decrease
swelling prior to surgery._
2. During a routine patient encounter, a 60-year-old patient with
osteoarthritis reports increased knee pain over the past 3 months.
Which of the following objective measures would best assess
functional improvement after initiating physical therapy?
A. Passive range of motion of the knee
, B. Timed up and go test
C. Knee-jerk reflex assessment
D. Serum inflammatory marker levels
Rationale: The timed up and go test quantifies functional mobility and is
sensitive to changes in lower extremity function, making it suitable to
assess improvement in osteoarthritis with therapy._
3. An orthopedic technician is preparing to assist with a closed reduction
of a distal radius fracture. Which of the following instruments should
be immediately available to maintain traction during the procedure?
A. Bone tamp
B. Finger traps
C. Oscillating saw
D. Bone hook
Rationale: Finger traps allow for effective application of longitudinal
traction to the hand and distal forearm, facilitating closed reduction of
distal radius fractures._
4. A patient presents with a suspected compartment syndrome of the
lower leg. Which clinical finding is most indicative of this diagnosis?
A. Decreased ankle plantarflexion strength
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Pain out of proportion to exam and pain with passive stretch
D. Decreased capillary refill
Rationale: Severe pain disproportionate to exam and increased pain with
passive muscle stretch are hallmark signs of acute compartment
syndrome, requiring immediate intervention._
5. When applying a cervical collar to a patient with a suspected cervical
spine injury, which landmark should be used to ensure proper sizing?
A. Angle of mandible
B. Sternum to occiput distance
, C. Distance between acromion processes
D. Chin to clavicle distance
Rationale: Correct sizing of a cervical collar is based on measuring the
distance from the sternum to the occiput to ensure proper stabilization
without compromising airway or comfort._
6. A 55-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis presents with
increasing pain and swelling of her wrist. Which of the following lab
results would most support a diagnosis of active disease flare?
A. Decreased rheumatoid factor
B. Elevated C-reactive protein
C. Elevated creatinine kinase
D. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Rationale: Elevated acute phase reactants like C-reactive protein are
consistent with active inflammatory flares in rheumatoid arthritis._
7. A patient requires a long leg cast for a tibial shaft fracture. What
position should the knee be placed in to best maintain alignment and
function?
A. Full extension
B. Full flexion
C. Slight flexion (15–20 degrees)
D. Hyperextension
Rationale: Slight flexion of the knee in a long leg cast helps maintain
alignment and prevents posterior angulation while allowing for some
functional mobility._
8. A 25-year-old presents with a posterior shoulder dislocation after a
seizure. What physical exam finding is most characteristic of this
injury?
A. Prominent acromion
B. Step-off deformity over AC joint
Certification Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 42-year-old male presents to the orthopedic clinic after a fall on ice
with severe pain and deformity of the forearm. Radiographs reveal a
displaced midshaft fracture of the radius and ulna. Which of the
following is the most appropriate initial step in splinting this injury
prior to definitive fixation?
A. Apply a sugar-tong splint with the forearm in full supination
B. Apply a single posterior long arm splint with the elbow in extension
C. Apply a well-padded volar cast with the wrist in slight extension
D. Apply a short arm splint with the wrist in neutral
Rationale: The forearm fracture requires immobilization that controls
motion both proximally and distally; a well-padded volar long arm cast
with the wrist in slight extension helps maintain alignment and decrease
swelling prior to surgery._
2. During a routine patient encounter, a 60-year-old patient with
osteoarthritis reports increased knee pain over the past 3 months.
Which of the following objective measures would best assess
functional improvement after initiating physical therapy?
A. Passive range of motion of the knee
, B. Timed up and go test
C. Knee-jerk reflex assessment
D. Serum inflammatory marker levels
Rationale: The timed up and go test quantifies functional mobility and is
sensitive to changes in lower extremity function, making it suitable to
assess improvement in osteoarthritis with therapy._
3. An orthopedic technician is preparing to assist with a closed reduction
of a distal radius fracture. Which of the following instruments should
be immediately available to maintain traction during the procedure?
A. Bone tamp
B. Finger traps
C. Oscillating saw
D. Bone hook
Rationale: Finger traps allow for effective application of longitudinal
traction to the hand and distal forearm, facilitating closed reduction of
distal radius fractures._
4. A patient presents with a suspected compartment syndrome of the
lower leg. Which clinical finding is most indicative of this diagnosis?
A. Decreased ankle plantarflexion strength
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Pain out of proportion to exam and pain with passive stretch
D. Decreased capillary refill
Rationale: Severe pain disproportionate to exam and increased pain with
passive muscle stretch are hallmark signs of acute compartment
syndrome, requiring immediate intervention._
5. When applying a cervical collar to a patient with a suspected cervical
spine injury, which landmark should be used to ensure proper sizing?
A. Angle of mandible
B. Sternum to occiput distance
, C. Distance between acromion processes
D. Chin to clavicle distance
Rationale: Correct sizing of a cervical collar is based on measuring the
distance from the sternum to the occiput to ensure proper stabilization
without compromising airway or comfort._
6. A 55-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis presents with
increasing pain and swelling of her wrist. Which of the following lab
results would most support a diagnosis of active disease flare?
A. Decreased rheumatoid factor
B. Elevated C-reactive protein
C. Elevated creatinine kinase
D. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Rationale: Elevated acute phase reactants like C-reactive protein are
consistent with active inflammatory flares in rheumatoid arthritis._
7. A patient requires a long leg cast for a tibial shaft fracture. What
position should the knee be placed in to best maintain alignment and
function?
A. Full extension
B. Full flexion
C. Slight flexion (15–20 degrees)
D. Hyperextension
Rationale: Slight flexion of the knee in a long leg cast helps maintain
alignment and prevents posterior angulation while allowing for some
functional mobility._
8. A 25-year-old presents with a posterior shoulder dislocation after a
seizure. What physical exam finding is most characteristic of this
injury?
A. Prominent acromion
B. Step-off deformity over AC joint
