Differential Diagnosis & Primary Care Practicum
Questions and Answers (Verified Answers)
1.One of the initial steps in assessing patients with musculoskeletal com- plaints is
to determine whether the complain is articular or nonarticular in origin. Which of
the following in an example of an articular structure?
A. Bone
B. Synovium
C. Tendons
D. Fascia
ANS Synovium
2.You have detected the presence of crepitus on examination of a patient with a
musculoskeletal complaint. Additionally, there is limited range of motion (ROM) with
both active and passive movement. These findings suggest that the origin of the
musculoskeletal complaint is
,A. Articular
B. Inflammatory
C. Nonarticular
D. A and B
ANS Articular
3.Which of the following signs or symptoms indicate an inflammatory etiology to
musculoskeletal pain?
A. Decreased CRP
B.hyperalbuminemia
C. Morning stiffness
D. Weight gain
ANS Morning stiffness
4.Which of the following statements concerning the musculoskeletal exam is true?
A. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to the involved
side
B. The part of the body that is causing the patient pain should be examined first
C. When possible, the patient should not be asked to perform active ROM
exercises to avoid causing pain
D. Radiographs should always be obtained prior to examination so as not to cause
further injury to the patient.
,ANS When possible, the patient should not be asked to perform active ROM exercises to
avoid causing pain
5.You are performing muscle strength testing on a patient presenting with
musculoskeletal pain and find that the patient has complete ROM with gravity
eliminated. Which numeric grade of muscle strength would you give this patient?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
, D. 4
E. 5
ANS B
6.Mrs. Gray is a 55-year-old woman who presents with tightness, pain, and limited
movement in her right shoulder. She denies any history of trauma. Her exam reveals a
75% reduction in both active and passive range of motion
of the right shoulder. Mrs. Gray is also experiencing tenderness with motion and pain
at the deltoid insertion. Her medical history is significant for type 1 diabetes mellitus
and hypertension. Her social history reveals that she is a secretary and that she is
right-handed. Based on her exam and medical history, you suspect adhesive capulitis
or "frozen shoulder." Which clue in Mrs. Gray's history supports this diagnosis?
A. HX HTN
B. Her affected shoulder is her dominant arm
C. Her HX of DM
D. Her work as a secretary predisposes her to repetitive motions
ANS HX of DM
7.Jennifer is an 18-year-old girl who comes to the emergency room after a fall during a
soccer game. Jennifer explains that she fell on her left side and kept her arm out
straight to break her fall. She has been experiencing severe pain and limited range of