ABPTS OCS PREP |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
Which of the following structures provide the greatest contribution to resisting varus
stress at 90 degrees of elbow flexion?
- Medial (ulnar) collateral ligament
- Osseus (bony) structures
- Interosseous membrane
- Joint capsule
CORRECT ANSWER
Osseus (bony) structures
While the UCL contributes to varus stability, it is in a slackened position at 90 degrees of
elbow flexion, and therefore its contributions are minimal. Comparatively, a great deal of
stability in this position comes from the bony alignment of the elbow osseous structures.
Question 2
A 32-year-old female patient with pelvic and low back pain who also reports some left
shoulder pain sporadically is being seen in physical therapy and experiences little
improvement despite a well-rounded, evidence-informed treatment approach. The
physical therapist suspects a systemic issue, not a musculoskeletal condition. Based on the
patient's clinical presentation, what is one of the first areas that should be followed up
on?
- Asking the patient about any changes/problems with urination
- Asking the patient about a family history of cancer
- Asking the patient if she has any difficulty swallowing or has recently felt an increase in
heartburn or indigestion
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,- Asking the patient if she has had a recent trauma or accident
CORRECT ANSWER
Asking the patient about any changes/problems with urination
The combination of pelvic, low back, and left shoulder pain is a sign of involvement from
the renal system, so it is important to ask about possible kidney involvement
Question 3
Which of the following is a risk factor for development of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Crohn's disease
- Eczema
- Gout
- Osteoarthritis
CORRECT ANSWER
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, along with irritable bowel syndrome, is one of the largest risk factors for
ankylosing spondylitis. Along with that, having any of the other spondyloarthropathies
puts one at risk for development of ankylosing spondylitis.
Question 4
Diagnostic imaging shows a Hill-Sachs lesion in a patient with right shoulder pain after a
shoulder dislocation. Where is a Hill-Sachs lesion located?
- Anterior humerus
- Anterior labrum
- Posterior humerus
- Posterior labrum
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,CORRECT ANSWER
Posterior humerus
A Hill-Sachs lesion is a compression fracture or depression defect on the posterior
humerus that can occur when the humeral head impacts the inferior rim of the glenoid
during a shoulder dislocation.
Question 5
Which of the following is true of those with rheumatoid arthritis?
- It is not typical to see constitutional symptoms, such as a fever or fatigue, in those with
rheumatoid arthritis
- No consideration should be given to conservation of energy in patients with rheumatoid
arthritis because they need activity to relieve symptoms
- Onset is typical in patients 60 years of age or above
- Pericarditis is a possible systemic pathology that can occur due to rheumatoid arthritis
CORRECT ANSWER
Pericarditis is a possible systemic pathology that can occur due to rheumatoid arthritis
As rheumatoid arthritis progresses in severity, cardiac problems can occur.
Question 6
A 75-year-old active female is referred to physical therapy for osteoporosis in bilateral
hips. The physical therapist is most concerned with being able to reverse or reduce the
impact of the loss of bone mineral density. Based on evidence, which of the following
interventions can reverse or reduce the impact of loss of bone mineral density?
- High-intensity aerobic exercise
- Low-intensity aerobic exercise
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, - High-load, high-repetition strength training
- Postural and balance exercise
CORRECT ANSWER
High-intensity aerobic exercise
There is moderate evidence to suggest that high-intensity aerobic exercise may be the
most appropriate intervention to either reduce or reverse the loss of bone mineral
density.
Question 7
A patient with low back pain is suspected of having cauda equina, and the physical
therapist has performed a thorough screen to determine this before referring the patient
to a physician for immediate medical attention. Which of the following is most helpful in
the diagnosis of cauda equina due to its high sensitivity?
- Motor deficits in the lower extremity either unilaterally or bilaterally
- Sensory deficits in the lower extremity either unilaterally or bilaterally
- Sexual dysfunction
- Urinary retention
CORRECT ANSWER
Urinary retention
Urinary dysfunction is common in those who have cauda equina, but urinary retention is
more common than urinary incontinence and has a 90% sensitivity.
Question 8
A physical therapist is screening a patient with low back pain for appropriateness of
physical therapy. The patient's prior medical history is unremarkable. The current
symptoms are in the lower abdomen and middle lumbar spine, sometimes radiating to the
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
Which of the following structures provide the greatest contribution to resisting varus
stress at 90 degrees of elbow flexion?
- Medial (ulnar) collateral ligament
- Osseus (bony) structures
- Interosseous membrane
- Joint capsule
CORRECT ANSWER
Osseus (bony) structures
While the UCL contributes to varus stability, it is in a slackened position at 90 degrees of
elbow flexion, and therefore its contributions are minimal. Comparatively, a great deal of
stability in this position comes from the bony alignment of the elbow osseous structures.
Question 2
A 32-year-old female patient with pelvic and low back pain who also reports some left
shoulder pain sporadically is being seen in physical therapy and experiences little
improvement despite a well-rounded, evidence-informed treatment approach. The
physical therapist suspects a systemic issue, not a musculoskeletal condition. Based on the
patient's clinical presentation, what is one of the first areas that should be followed up
on?
- Asking the patient about any changes/problems with urination
- Asking the patient about a family history of cancer
- Asking the patient if she has any difficulty swallowing or has recently felt an increase in
heartburn or indigestion
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,- Asking the patient if she has had a recent trauma or accident
CORRECT ANSWER
Asking the patient about any changes/problems with urination
The combination of pelvic, low back, and left shoulder pain is a sign of involvement from
the renal system, so it is important to ask about possible kidney involvement
Question 3
Which of the following is a risk factor for development of ankylosing spondylitis?
- Crohn's disease
- Eczema
- Gout
- Osteoarthritis
CORRECT ANSWER
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, along with irritable bowel syndrome, is one of the largest risk factors for
ankylosing spondylitis. Along with that, having any of the other spondyloarthropathies
puts one at risk for development of ankylosing spondylitis.
Question 4
Diagnostic imaging shows a Hill-Sachs lesion in a patient with right shoulder pain after a
shoulder dislocation. Where is a Hill-Sachs lesion located?
- Anterior humerus
- Anterior labrum
- Posterior humerus
- Posterior labrum
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,CORRECT ANSWER
Posterior humerus
A Hill-Sachs lesion is a compression fracture or depression defect on the posterior
humerus that can occur when the humeral head impacts the inferior rim of the glenoid
during a shoulder dislocation.
Question 5
Which of the following is true of those with rheumatoid arthritis?
- It is not typical to see constitutional symptoms, such as a fever or fatigue, in those with
rheumatoid arthritis
- No consideration should be given to conservation of energy in patients with rheumatoid
arthritis because they need activity to relieve symptoms
- Onset is typical in patients 60 years of age or above
- Pericarditis is a possible systemic pathology that can occur due to rheumatoid arthritis
CORRECT ANSWER
Pericarditis is a possible systemic pathology that can occur due to rheumatoid arthritis
As rheumatoid arthritis progresses in severity, cardiac problems can occur.
Question 6
A 75-year-old active female is referred to physical therapy for osteoporosis in bilateral
hips. The physical therapist is most concerned with being able to reverse or reduce the
impact of the loss of bone mineral density. Based on evidence, which of the following
interventions can reverse or reduce the impact of loss of bone mineral density?
- High-intensity aerobic exercise
- Low-intensity aerobic exercise
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, - High-load, high-repetition strength training
- Postural and balance exercise
CORRECT ANSWER
High-intensity aerobic exercise
There is moderate evidence to suggest that high-intensity aerobic exercise may be the
most appropriate intervention to either reduce or reverse the loss of bone mineral
density.
Question 7
A patient with low back pain is suspected of having cauda equina, and the physical
therapist has performed a thorough screen to determine this before referring the patient
to a physician for immediate medical attention. Which of the following is most helpful in
the diagnosis of cauda equina due to its high sensitivity?
- Motor deficits in the lower extremity either unilaterally or bilaterally
- Sensory deficits in the lower extremity either unilaterally or bilaterally
- Sexual dysfunction
- Urinary retention
CORRECT ANSWER
Urinary retention
Urinary dysfunction is common in those who have cauda equina, but urinary retention is
more common than urinary incontinence and has a 90% sensitivity.
Question 8
A physical therapist is screening a patient with low back pain for appropriateness of
physical therapy. The patient's prior medical history is unremarkable. The current
symptoms are in the lower abdomen and middle lumbar spine, sometimes radiating to the
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
