PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION PM&R QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Neurological Conditions (Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury)*
- Musculoskeletal Medicine (Arthritis, Back Pain, Fractures)
- Neuropathies and Radiculopathies
*- Amputations and Prosthetic Rehabilitation*
*- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Rehabilitation*
*- Pain Management and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome*
*- Cognitive and Sensory Dysfunction*
*- Ethics, Professionalism, and Systems-Based Practice*
This comprehensive examination assesses clinical knowledge and decision-making skills essential for physical
medicine and rehabilitation practitioners. The exam evaluates competency across neurological conditions,
musculoskeletal disorders, neuropathies, pain management, and rehabilitation strategies. Through multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions, candidates demonstrate their ability to apply foundational theory to
real-world clinical situations. The assessment emphasizes critical thinking, patient management
prioritization, regulatory compliance, and ethical professional standards. Success requires not only
memorization of facts but the capacity to make sound clinical judgments in complex, multifactorial patient
scenarios encountered in contemporary rehabilitation practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A 29-year-old male is brought to the ED after a motorcycle accident. Neurologic examination reveals no motor
or sensory function preserved in the sacral segments S4–S5. What is the ASIA classification of this spinal cord
injury?
A. ASIA B
B. ASIA C
C. ASIA D
D. ASIA A
🟢 D. ASIA A
🔴 RATIONALE: ASIA A indicates complete spinal cord injury with no motor or sensory function preserved in
the sacral segments S4–S5. This matches the patient's presentation of no preserved function.
Question 2
A 35-year-old male with a T4 spinal cord injury suddenly develops a pounding headache, facial flushing, and
severe hypertension during a therapy session. What is the most immediate intervention?
A. Administer IV beta-blockers
B. Place patient in supine position
C. Check for bladder distension
D. Elevate head of bed
,🟢 C. Check for bladder distension
🔴 RATIONALE: This presentation is classic for autonomic dysreflexia, most commonly triggered by bladder
distension in patients with spinal cord injuries above T6. The first step is identifying and relieving the triggering
stimulus.
Question 3
Which clinical feature puts a patient with traumatic brain injury at greatest risk for developing posttraumatic
epilepsy?
A. Intracranial hematoma
B. Subdural hematoma
C. Penetrating injury
D. Prolonged coma
🟢 C. Penetrating injury
🔴 RATIONALE: Penetrating brain injuries carry the highest risk for posttraumatic epilepsy compared to other
TBI types, with incidence rates exceeding 50% in some studies.
, Question 4
A patient presents with low back pain and right-sided leg weakness. Straight leg raise test is positive at 45
degrees. MRI shows L5 radiculopathy. Which muscle would most likely demonstrate weakness?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Tibialis anterior
C. Quadriceps femoris
D. Hip flexors
🟢 B. Tibialis anterior
🔴 RATIONALE: L5 radiculopathy typically causes weakness in tibialis anterior (dorsiflexion), while S1 affects
gastrocnemius (plantarflexion) and L4 affects quadriceps.
Question 5
Which domain of the ABPMR Part II examination evaluates prioritization of rehabilitation goals and
formulation of management plans?
A. Domain A: Data Acquisition
B. Domain B: Problem Solving
C. Domain C: Patient Management
D. Domain D: Systems-Based Practice
🟢 B. Domain B: Problem Solving
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Neurological Conditions (Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury)*
- Musculoskeletal Medicine (Arthritis, Back Pain, Fractures)
- Neuropathies and Radiculopathies
*- Amputations and Prosthetic Rehabilitation*
*- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Rehabilitation*
*- Pain Management and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome*
*- Cognitive and Sensory Dysfunction*
*- Ethics, Professionalism, and Systems-Based Practice*
This comprehensive examination assesses clinical knowledge and decision-making skills essential for physical
medicine and rehabilitation practitioners. The exam evaluates competency across neurological conditions,
musculoskeletal disorders, neuropathies, pain management, and rehabilitation strategies. Through multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions, candidates demonstrate their ability to apply foundational theory to
real-world clinical situations. The assessment emphasizes critical thinking, patient management
prioritization, regulatory compliance, and ethical professional standards. Success requires not only
memorization of facts but the capacity to make sound clinical judgments in complex, multifactorial patient
scenarios encountered in contemporary rehabilitation practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A 29-year-old male is brought to the ED after a motorcycle accident. Neurologic examination reveals no motor
or sensory function preserved in the sacral segments S4–S5. What is the ASIA classification of this spinal cord
injury?
A. ASIA B
B. ASIA C
C. ASIA D
D. ASIA A
🟢 D. ASIA A
🔴 RATIONALE: ASIA A indicates complete spinal cord injury with no motor or sensory function preserved in
the sacral segments S4–S5. This matches the patient's presentation of no preserved function.
Question 2
A 35-year-old male with a T4 spinal cord injury suddenly develops a pounding headache, facial flushing, and
severe hypertension during a therapy session. What is the most immediate intervention?
A. Administer IV beta-blockers
B. Place patient in supine position
C. Check for bladder distension
D. Elevate head of bed
,🟢 C. Check for bladder distension
🔴 RATIONALE: This presentation is classic for autonomic dysreflexia, most commonly triggered by bladder
distension in patients with spinal cord injuries above T6. The first step is identifying and relieving the triggering
stimulus.
Question 3
Which clinical feature puts a patient with traumatic brain injury at greatest risk for developing posttraumatic
epilepsy?
A. Intracranial hematoma
B. Subdural hematoma
C. Penetrating injury
D. Prolonged coma
🟢 C. Penetrating injury
🔴 RATIONALE: Penetrating brain injuries carry the highest risk for posttraumatic epilepsy compared to other
TBI types, with incidence rates exceeding 50% in some studies.
, Question 4
A patient presents with low back pain and right-sided leg weakness. Straight leg raise test is positive at 45
degrees. MRI shows L5 radiculopathy. Which muscle would most likely demonstrate weakness?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Tibialis anterior
C. Quadriceps femoris
D. Hip flexors
🟢 B. Tibialis anterior
🔴 RATIONALE: L5 radiculopathy typically causes weakness in tibialis anterior (dorsiflexion), while S1 affects
gastrocnemius (plantarflexion) and L4 affects quadriceps.
Question 5
Which domain of the ABPMR Part II examination evaluates prioritization of rehabilitation goals and
formulation of management plans?
A. Domain A: Data Acquisition
B. Domain B: Problem Solving
C. Domain C: Patient Management
D. Domain D: Systems-Based Practice
🟢 B. Domain B: Problem Solving
