ABPTS OCS EXAM |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
Based on the available information, which classification of neck pain does Cynthia
primarily fit into?
a. Mobility deficits.
b. Cervicogenic headache.
c. Movement coordination impairments.
d. Radiating pain
CORRECT ANSWER
c. Movement coordination impairments.
Pain, headache, and limited motion following a motor vehicle collision is consistent with
whiplash associated disorders, or neck pain with movement coordination impairments.
While the patient does have headache and limited mobility, these would not be the
primary classification because of the trauma experienced. There is no mention of any
arm symptoms, therefore radiating pain would not be a correct classification.
Question 2
Upon examination, the physical therapist notes several factors that could result in Cynthia
experiencing persistent, severe pain. Which finding is consistent with this prognostic
assessment?
a. Weak deep neck flexors.
b. Pressure pain threshold is reduced.
c. Low fear avoidance.
d. No change in symptoms with Sharp-Purser test.
CORRECT ANSWER
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
, b. Pressure pain threshold is reduced.
The correct answer is b. Pressure pain threshold is reduced. This result indicates that
Cynthia's nervous system has become sensitized to pain and is an indicator of possible
persistent pain. Deep neck flexor weakness is not associated with a patient prognosis for
experiencing persistent pain; this is a common finding in patient with and without persistent
pain. A higher fear-avoidance would indicate someone who avoids potential pain provoking
activities/situations and is a risk factor for developing persistent pain. No change is
symptoms with Sharp-Purser test is a normal finding.
Question 3
Which intervention is best supported by evidence for Cynthia's presentation?
a. Advice to remain active and continue daily activities per usual.
b. Grade IV lateral glide mobilizations.
c. Deep neck flexor coordination exercises.
d. High intensity resistance training.
CORRECT ANSWER
c. Deep neck flexor coordination exercises.
The correct answer is c. Deep neck flexor coordination exercises. General exercise and low
load coordination activities and strengthening are indicated in the acute phase for patients
with neck pain with movement coordination impairments that have concerning prognoses.
In the acute phase of the injury, relative rest is indicated. Advice to maintain the previous
activity level would not be the appropriate recommendation while being active in a reduced
capacity would be ideal. Likewise, neither high intensity training nor grade IV lateral glide
mobilizations are indicated for this phase of injury.
Question 4
Cash is a 32-year-old banjo player in a bluegrass band and presents to physical therapy
with complaints of neck and left arm pain. He is right hand dominant and has a past
medical history that is insignificant, and he takes no medications. He reports his pain as
burning and it extends from the left lateral neck to the left elbow. He also experiences
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,burning pain along the medial scapular border. Overall pain intensity is 6/10 on a numeric
pain rating scale. He reports pain increases while playing the banjo, and he has been
unable to perform over the past several weeks. 1. Which cluster of tests would best assist
in ruling in a diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy?
a. Spurling test, limited extension ROM, neck flexor endurance test.
b. Distraction test, upper limb tension test A, limited neck rotation ROM.
c. Valsalva test, neck rotation ROM, upper limb tension test C.
d. Spurling's test, limited neck flexion, dist
CORRECT ANSWER
b. Distraction test, upper limb tension test A, limited neck rotation ROM
Question 5
Cash reports the pain increases when the left arm is placed in combined shoulder
abduction and external rotation, elbow extension, and forearm supination during the
clinical examination. What motion would best reduce the pain?
a. Left cervical lateral flexion.
b. Right cervical lateral flexion.
c. Shoulder flexion.
d. Wrist extension
CORRECT ANSWER
a. Left cervical lateral flexion.
Question 6
The correct answer is a. Left cervical lateral flexion. This question describes a positive
upper limb tension test A for the median nerve. Tension can be released via ipsilateral
cervical flexion. Right cervical lateral flexion would increase the tension and thus the
patient's symptoms. Both shoulder flexion and wrist extension are sensitizing positions
and thus would increase the patient's symptoms.
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Question 7
What best describes the concept to use a gliding technique for promoting neurodynamic
mobility? a. Glides can increase collagen formation resulting in increased neural length.
b. Glides result in elongation of the neural sheath.
c. Glides promote significant nerve fiber mobility without increasing tension.
d. Glides promote decreased neutrophil aggregation resulting in decreased pain.
CORRECT ANSWER
c. Glides promote significant nerve fiber mobility without increasing tension.
The correct answer is c. Glides promote significant nerve fiber mobility without increasing
tension. It is theorized that the increase in dynamic movement without increases in tissue
tension help reduce irritability and decrease inflammatory mediators. Gliding maneuvers
does not increase the length, elongation, or tension of the neural structures as a tensioning
technique would.
Question 8
What is the most appropriate home program for cash?
a. Progressive intervals of banjo practice.
b. Upright rows with resistance
. c. Cervical flexion active ROM.
d. Home cervical traction
CORRECT ANSWER
d. Home cervical traction
The correct answer is d. Home cervical traction. This is the best choice of the provided
options. Increasing playing time may not provide much benefit without treating the
underlying impairments. There is no indication of limited strength that would support the
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
Based on the available information, which classification of neck pain does Cynthia
primarily fit into?
a. Mobility deficits.
b. Cervicogenic headache.
c. Movement coordination impairments.
d. Radiating pain
CORRECT ANSWER
c. Movement coordination impairments.
Pain, headache, and limited motion following a motor vehicle collision is consistent with
whiplash associated disorders, or neck pain with movement coordination impairments.
While the patient does have headache and limited mobility, these would not be the
primary classification because of the trauma experienced. There is no mention of any
arm symptoms, therefore radiating pain would not be a correct classification.
Question 2
Upon examination, the physical therapist notes several factors that could result in Cynthia
experiencing persistent, severe pain. Which finding is consistent with this prognostic
assessment?
a. Weak deep neck flexors.
b. Pressure pain threshold is reduced.
c. Low fear avoidance.
d. No change in symptoms with Sharp-Purser test.
CORRECT ANSWER
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
, b. Pressure pain threshold is reduced.
The correct answer is b. Pressure pain threshold is reduced. This result indicates that
Cynthia's nervous system has become sensitized to pain and is an indicator of possible
persistent pain. Deep neck flexor weakness is not associated with a patient prognosis for
experiencing persistent pain; this is a common finding in patient with and without persistent
pain. A higher fear-avoidance would indicate someone who avoids potential pain provoking
activities/situations and is a risk factor for developing persistent pain. No change is
symptoms with Sharp-Purser test is a normal finding.
Question 3
Which intervention is best supported by evidence for Cynthia's presentation?
a. Advice to remain active and continue daily activities per usual.
b. Grade IV lateral glide mobilizations.
c. Deep neck flexor coordination exercises.
d. High intensity resistance training.
CORRECT ANSWER
c. Deep neck flexor coordination exercises.
The correct answer is c. Deep neck flexor coordination exercises. General exercise and low
load coordination activities and strengthening are indicated in the acute phase for patients
with neck pain with movement coordination impairments that have concerning prognoses.
In the acute phase of the injury, relative rest is indicated. Advice to maintain the previous
activity level would not be the appropriate recommendation while being active in a reduced
capacity would be ideal. Likewise, neither high intensity training nor grade IV lateral glide
mobilizations are indicated for this phase of injury.
Question 4
Cash is a 32-year-old banjo player in a bluegrass band and presents to physical therapy
with complaints of neck and left arm pain. He is right hand dominant and has a past
medical history that is insignificant, and he takes no medications. He reports his pain as
burning and it extends from the left lateral neck to the left elbow. He also experiences
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,burning pain along the medial scapular border. Overall pain intensity is 6/10 on a numeric
pain rating scale. He reports pain increases while playing the banjo, and he has been
unable to perform over the past several weeks. 1. Which cluster of tests would best assist
in ruling in a diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy?
a. Spurling test, limited extension ROM, neck flexor endurance test.
b. Distraction test, upper limb tension test A, limited neck rotation ROM.
c. Valsalva test, neck rotation ROM, upper limb tension test C.
d. Spurling's test, limited neck flexion, dist
CORRECT ANSWER
b. Distraction test, upper limb tension test A, limited neck rotation ROM
Question 5
Cash reports the pain increases when the left arm is placed in combined shoulder
abduction and external rotation, elbow extension, and forearm supination during the
clinical examination. What motion would best reduce the pain?
a. Left cervical lateral flexion.
b. Right cervical lateral flexion.
c. Shoulder flexion.
d. Wrist extension
CORRECT ANSWER
a. Left cervical lateral flexion.
Question 6
The correct answer is a. Left cervical lateral flexion. This question describes a positive
upper limb tension test A for the median nerve. Tension can be released via ipsilateral
cervical flexion. Right cervical lateral flexion would increase the tension and thus the
patient's symptoms. Both shoulder flexion and wrist extension are sensitizing positions
and thus would increase the patient's symptoms.
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Question 7
What best describes the concept to use a gliding technique for promoting neurodynamic
mobility? a. Glides can increase collagen formation resulting in increased neural length.
b. Glides result in elongation of the neural sheath.
c. Glides promote significant nerve fiber mobility without increasing tension.
d. Glides promote decreased neutrophil aggregation resulting in decreased pain.
CORRECT ANSWER
c. Glides promote significant nerve fiber mobility without increasing tension.
The correct answer is c. Glides promote significant nerve fiber mobility without increasing
tension. It is theorized that the increase in dynamic movement without increases in tissue
tension help reduce irritability and decrease inflammatory mediators. Gliding maneuvers
does not increase the length, elongation, or tension of the neural structures as a tensioning
technique would.
Question 8
What is the most appropriate home program for cash?
a. Progressive intervals of banjo practice.
b. Upright rows with resistance
. c. Cervical flexion active ROM.
d. Home cervical traction
CORRECT ANSWER
d. Home cervical traction
The correct answer is d. Home cervical traction. This is the best choice of the provided
options. Increasing playing time may not provide much benefit without treating the
underlying impairments. There is no indication of limited strength that would support the
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
