Indiana Chiropractic Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient presents to a chiropractic clinic with acute low back pain
following a lifting injury. Which anatomical structure is most
commonly implicated in mechanical low back strain without
neurological deficit?
A. Intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus
B. Lumbar paraspinal musculature
C. Spinal cord anterior horn cells
D. Cauda equina nerve roots
B. Lumbar paraspinal musculature
Muscle strain of the lumbar paraspinal group is the most frequent
cause of acute mechanical low back pain following lifting injuries
when no neurological signs are present, due to overstretching and
microtearing of muscle fibers.
2. A chiropractor evaluates a patient with suspected L5 radiculopathy.
Which reflex is most likely diminished?
A. Patellar reflex
B. Achilles reflex
C. Biceps reflex
D. Triceps reflex
A. Patellar reflex
L5 radiculopathy commonly affects the L4-L5 nerve root distribution,
and although reflex findings can vary, the patellar reflex (L3–L4) is
, often affected in lumbar nerve root compression patterns involving
adjacent structures.
3. A patient reports dizziness and visual disturbances after neck rotation.
Which condition must be ruled out first?
A. Cervical spondylosis
B. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
C. Thoracic outlet syndrome
D. Migraine without aura
B. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Neck rotation-induced dizziness and visual symptoms raise concern
for compromised vertebrobasilar circulation, which is a
contraindication to cervical manipulation until properly evaluated.
4. Which spinal structure is primarily responsible for resisting flexion
forces in the lumbar spine?
A. Anterior longitudinal ligament
B. Ligamentum flavum
C. Interspinous ligament
D. Posterior longitudinal ligament
A. Anterior longitudinal ligament
The anterior longitudinal ligament resists excessive extension but
also contributes to stabilizing spinal flexion mechanics by
maintaining anterior column integrity.
5. A patient presents with shooting pain down the posterior thigh and
calf. Which nerve root is most likely involved?
A. L2
B. L3
C. S1
D. T12
C. S1
S1 nerve root compression commonly produces pain radiating down
the posterior thigh and calf, often associated with diminished
Achilles reflex and plantar flexion weakness.
6. Which imaging modality is best for evaluating suspected disc
herniation with neurological compromise?
A. Plain radiography
, B. MRI
C. Bone scan
D. Ultrasound
B. MRI
MRI provides superior visualization of soft tissues, including
intervertebral discs and nerve roots, making it the gold standard for
evaluating disc herniation.
7. A chiropractor performs orthopedic testing for sacroiliac dysfunction.
Which test involves hip flexion, abduction, and external rotation?
A. Straight leg raise
B. FABER test
C. Spurling test
D. Brudzinski test
B. FABER test
The FABER (Flexion, ABduction, External Rotation) test is used to
assess sacroiliac joint and hip pathology by stressing the joint
structures.
8. Which condition is an absolute contraindication to spinal
manipulation?
A. Mild scoliosis
B. Acute muscle spasm
C. Spinal malignancy
D. Chronic tension headache
C. Spinal malignancy
Spinal malignancy is an absolute contraindication due to the risk of
pathological fracture and tumor dissemination with manual
manipulation.
9. The primary action of the iliopsoas muscle is:
A. Hip extension
B. Hip flexion
C. Knee extension
D. Ankle dorsiflexion
B. Hip flexion
The iliopsoas is the strongest hip flexor, playing a key role in lifting
the thigh during gait and trunk flexion movements.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient presents to a chiropractic clinic with acute low back pain
following a lifting injury. Which anatomical structure is most
commonly implicated in mechanical low back strain without
neurological deficit?
A. Intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus
B. Lumbar paraspinal musculature
C. Spinal cord anterior horn cells
D. Cauda equina nerve roots
B. Lumbar paraspinal musculature
Muscle strain of the lumbar paraspinal group is the most frequent
cause of acute mechanical low back pain following lifting injuries
when no neurological signs are present, due to overstretching and
microtearing of muscle fibers.
2. A chiropractor evaluates a patient with suspected L5 radiculopathy.
Which reflex is most likely diminished?
A. Patellar reflex
B. Achilles reflex
C. Biceps reflex
D. Triceps reflex
A. Patellar reflex
L5 radiculopathy commonly affects the L4-L5 nerve root distribution,
and although reflex findings can vary, the patellar reflex (L3–L4) is
, often affected in lumbar nerve root compression patterns involving
adjacent structures.
3. A patient reports dizziness and visual disturbances after neck rotation.
Which condition must be ruled out first?
A. Cervical spondylosis
B. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
C. Thoracic outlet syndrome
D. Migraine without aura
B. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Neck rotation-induced dizziness and visual symptoms raise concern
for compromised vertebrobasilar circulation, which is a
contraindication to cervical manipulation until properly evaluated.
4. Which spinal structure is primarily responsible for resisting flexion
forces in the lumbar spine?
A. Anterior longitudinal ligament
B. Ligamentum flavum
C. Interspinous ligament
D. Posterior longitudinal ligament
A. Anterior longitudinal ligament
The anterior longitudinal ligament resists excessive extension but
also contributes to stabilizing spinal flexion mechanics by
maintaining anterior column integrity.
5. A patient presents with shooting pain down the posterior thigh and
calf. Which nerve root is most likely involved?
A. L2
B. L3
C. S1
D. T12
C. S1
S1 nerve root compression commonly produces pain radiating down
the posterior thigh and calf, often associated with diminished
Achilles reflex and plantar flexion weakness.
6. Which imaging modality is best for evaluating suspected disc
herniation with neurological compromise?
A. Plain radiography
, B. MRI
C. Bone scan
D. Ultrasound
B. MRI
MRI provides superior visualization of soft tissues, including
intervertebral discs and nerve roots, making it the gold standard for
evaluating disc herniation.
7. A chiropractor performs orthopedic testing for sacroiliac dysfunction.
Which test involves hip flexion, abduction, and external rotation?
A. Straight leg raise
B. FABER test
C. Spurling test
D. Brudzinski test
B. FABER test
The FABER (Flexion, ABduction, External Rotation) test is used to
assess sacroiliac joint and hip pathology by stressing the joint
structures.
8. Which condition is an absolute contraindication to spinal
manipulation?
A. Mild scoliosis
B. Acute muscle spasm
C. Spinal malignancy
D. Chronic tension headache
C. Spinal malignancy
Spinal malignancy is an absolute contraindication due to the risk of
pathological fracture and tumor dissemination with manual
manipulation.
9. The primary action of the iliopsoas muscle is:
A. Hip extension
B. Hip flexion
C. Knee extension
D. Ankle dorsiflexion
B. Hip flexion
The iliopsoas is the strongest hip flexor, playing a key role in lifting
the thigh during gait and trunk flexion movements.
