ADVANCED ASSESSMENT 4TH EDITION
INTERPRETING FINDINGS AND
FORMULATING DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES
BY MARY JO GOOLSBY FINAL PAPER
EXAM REVIEW FULL SOLUTION 2026
⩥ 1. In the context of screening for referral, primary purpose of a
diagnosis is:
a. To obtain reimbursement
b. To guide the plan of care and intervention strategies
c. To practice within the scope of physical therapy
d. To meet the established standards for accreditation. Answer: b) The
function of a diagnosis and diagnostic classifications is to provide
information (i.e., identify as closely as possible the underlying
neuromusculoskeletal [NMS] pathology) that can guide efficient
treatment and effective management of the client.
⩥ 2. Direct access is the only reason physical therapists must screen for
systemic disease.. Answer: False—See Box 1-1. (8)
direct access
quicker and sicker client base
signed rx withouth physically seeing physician
medial specialization
,disease progression
Pt/slient disclosure
client doesn't report symptoms to physician
presence of one or more yellow/red flags
⩥ 3. A patient/client gives you a written prescription from a physician,
chiropractor, or dentist. The first screening question to ask is:
a. What did the physician or dentist, chiropractor say is the problem?
b. Did the physician or dentist, chiropractor examine you?
c. When do you go back to see the doctor or dentist, chiropractor?
d. How many times per week did the doctor or dentist, chiropractor
suggest you come to therapy?. Answer: b)
want to check that the patient actually saw the physician, and that they
did a physical examination
⩥ 4. Screening for medical disease takes place:
a. Only during the first interview
b. Just before the client returns to the physician for his/her next
appointment
c. Throughout the episode of care
d. None of the above. Answer: c)
,⩥ 5. Physical therapists are qualified to make a human movement
system diagnosis regarding primary neuromusculoskeletal conditions,
but we must do so in accordance with:
a. The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice
b. The State Practice Act
c. The screening process
d. The SOAP method. Answer: b)
⩥ 6. Medical referral for a problem outside the scope of the physical
therapy practice occurs when:
a. No apparent movement dysfunction exists
b. No causative factors can be identified
c. Findings are not consistent with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal
dysfunction
d. Client presents with suspicious red-flag symptoms
e. Any of the above
f. None of the above. Answer: e)
⩥ 7. Physical therapy evaluation and intervention may be part of the
physician's differential diagnosis. T/F. Answer: a) true
⩥ 8. What is the difference between yellow and red flag?. Answer: A
yellow flag is a cautionary or warning symptom that signals, "Slow
down, and think about the need for screening." A red flag symptom
, requires immediate attention, either to pursue further screening questions
or tests, or to make an appropriate referral. The presence of a single
yellow or red flag is not usually cause for immediate medical attention.
Each cautionary or warning flag must be viewed in the context of the
whole person, given his or her age, gender, past medical history, and
current clinical presentation.
⩥ 9. What are the major decision-making tools used in the screening
process?. Answer: Past medical history, risk factor assessment, clinical
presentation (including pain types and pain patterns), associated signs
and symptoms, review of systems. Each client can be framed by these
five components. Any suspicious finding or response in any of these
areas warrants a closer look.
⩥ 10. See if you can quickly name 6 to 10 red flags that suggest the need
for further screening.. Answer: Check your list against Box 1-2; see also
Appendix A-2.
⩥ Chapter 02: Interviewing as a Screening Tool. Answer: Answers to
Practice Questions
⩥ 1. What is the effect of NSAIDs e.g., Naprosyn, Motrin, Anaprox,
ibuprofen on blood pressure?
a. No effect
b. Increases blood pressure
c. Decreases blood pressure. Answer: b) Increase BP
INTERPRETING FINDINGS AND
FORMULATING DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES
BY MARY JO GOOLSBY FINAL PAPER
EXAM REVIEW FULL SOLUTION 2026
⩥ 1. In the context of screening for referral, primary purpose of a
diagnosis is:
a. To obtain reimbursement
b. To guide the plan of care and intervention strategies
c. To practice within the scope of physical therapy
d. To meet the established standards for accreditation. Answer: b) The
function of a diagnosis and diagnostic classifications is to provide
information (i.e., identify as closely as possible the underlying
neuromusculoskeletal [NMS] pathology) that can guide efficient
treatment and effective management of the client.
⩥ 2. Direct access is the only reason physical therapists must screen for
systemic disease.. Answer: False—See Box 1-1. (8)
direct access
quicker and sicker client base
signed rx withouth physically seeing physician
medial specialization
,disease progression
Pt/slient disclosure
client doesn't report symptoms to physician
presence of one or more yellow/red flags
⩥ 3. A patient/client gives you a written prescription from a physician,
chiropractor, or dentist. The first screening question to ask is:
a. What did the physician or dentist, chiropractor say is the problem?
b. Did the physician or dentist, chiropractor examine you?
c. When do you go back to see the doctor or dentist, chiropractor?
d. How many times per week did the doctor or dentist, chiropractor
suggest you come to therapy?. Answer: b)
want to check that the patient actually saw the physician, and that they
did a physical examination
⩥ 4. Screening for medical disease takes place:
a. Only during the first interview
b. Just before the client returns to the physician for his/her next
appointment
c. Throughout the episode of care
d. None of the above. Answer: c)
,⩥ 5. Physical therapists are qualified to make a human movement
system diagnosis regarding primary neuromusculoskeletal conditions,
but we must do so in accordance with:
a. The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice
b. The State Practice Act
c. The screening process
d. The SOAP method. Answer: b)
⩥ 6. Medical referral for a problem outside the scope of the physical
therapy practice occurs when:
a. No apparent movement dysfunction exists
b. No causative factors can be identified
c. Findings are not consistent with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal
dysfunction
d. Client presents with suspicious red-flag symptoms
e. Any of the above
f. None of the above. Answer: e)
⩥ 7. Physical therapy evaluation and intervention may be part of the
physician's differential diagnosis. T/F. Answer: a) true
⩥ 8. What is the difference between yellow and red flag?. Answer: A
yellow flag is a cautionary or warning symptom that signals, "Slow
down, and think about the need for screening." A red flag symptom
, requires immediate attention, either to pursue further screening questions
or tests, or to make an appropriate referral. The presence of a single
yellow or red flag is not usually cause for immediate medical attention.
Each cautionary or warning flag must be viewed in the context of the
whole person, given his or her age, gender, past medical history, and
current clinical presentation.
⩥ 9. What are the major decision-making tools used in the screening
process?. Answer: Past medical history, risk factor assessment, clinical
presentation (including pain types and pain patterns), associated signs
and symptoms, review of systems. Each client can be framed by these
five components. Any suspicious finding or response in any of these
areas warrants a closer look.
⩥ 10. See if you can quickly name 6 to 10 red flags that suggest the need
for further screening.. Answer: Check your list against Box 1-2; see also
Appendix A-2.
⩥ Chapter 02: Interviewing as a Screening Tool. Answer: Answers to
Practice Questions
⩥ 1. What is the effect of NSAIDs e.g., Naprosyn, Motrin, Anaprox,
ibuprofen on blood pressure?
a. No effect
b. Increases blood pressure
c. Decreases blood pressure. Answer: b) Increase BP
