PNS EXAM 2 PAST EXAMS | COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS &
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Plexuses are formed by the _________ primary rami of the contributing spinal nerves.
a. anterior
b. posterior - correct answer ✔✔A
T/F: *Lumbar Plexus* is usually formed by *L1-4* spinal nerves, but *T12* spinal nerve may
contribute to its formation. - correct answer ✔✔True
Lumbosacral radiculopathy most commonly involves which of the following groups of spinal
nerves?
a. L1, L2, L3
b. L4, L5, S1 - correct answer ✔✔B
Stenosis at which of the following *IVFs* would most likely cause *L5 radiculopathy*?
a. L4-L5 IVF
b. L5-S1 IVF - correct answer ✔✔B
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*L4 Radiculopathy (Spinal Nerve): *
L3-L4 Disc Herniation.
L4-L5 IVF Sternosis.
,L5 Radiculopathy:
L4-L5 Disc Herniation .
L5-S1 IVF Sternosis.
S1 Radiculopathy:
L5-S1 Disc Herniation.
S1-S2 IVF Sternosis.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*~ Spinal Nerve (N) is same as IVF*
*~ Disc (N-1)*
Herniation at which of the following discs would most likely cause L5 radiculopathy?
a. L4-L5 disc
b. L5-S1 disc - correct answer ✔✔A
If a patient's symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbnmess in *Medial Shin & Medial Foot* are
due to radiculopathy, which spinal nerve would most likely be involved?
a. L2
b. L3
c. L4
d. L5
e. S1 - correct answer ✔✔C
,If a patient's symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbness in *lateral calf* are due to
radiculopathy, which spinal nerve is most likely involved?
a. L2
b. L3
c. L4
d. L5
e. S1 - correct answer ✔✔S1: Lateral Calf ~ Sural N
Your patient presents with *complaints of left sided low back pain and pain, tingling, numbness
in their left lower extremity*. Given the patient's complaints, you are considering the possibility
that they may have a lumbosacral radiculopathy. When you ask the patient to walk across the
room on their toes you observe limited ability to do so on the *left side*. Radiculopathy of
which of the following spinal nerves would most likely be responsible for the observed motor
weakness?
a. L2
b. L3
c. L4
d. L5
e. S1 - correct answer ✔✔E
Your patient presents with complaints of right sided low back pain and pain, tingling, numbness
in their right lower extremity. Given the patient's complaints you are considering the possibility
that they may have a lumbosacral radiculopathy. Your examination reveals *weakness of their
extensor hallicus longus muscle (EHL)*. Radiculopathy of which of the following spinal nerves
would most likely be responsible for the observed motor weakness?
a. L2
b. L3
, c. L4
d. L5
e. S1 - correct answer ✔✔D
~~~~~~~~~~
Extensor Hallicus Longus mm (EHL) = BIG TOE = L5
Your patient's *Quadriceps* DTR is hyporeflexic. If the decreased reflex activity is due to
radiculopathy, which spinal nerve would most likely be compromised?
a. L4
b. L5
c. S1 - correct answer ✔✔A
~~~~~~~~~~~
*L2,3,4 Kick the Door: Quadriceps*.
Mainly L4
Your patient's *Achilles DTR* is hyporeflexic. If the decreased reflex activity is due to
radiculopathy, which spinal nerve would most likely be compromised?
a. L4
b. L5
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Plexuses are formed by the _________ primary rami of the contributing spinal nerves.
a. anterior
b. posterior - correct answer ✔✔A
T/F: *Lumbar Plexus* is usually formed by *L1-4* spinal nerves, but *T12* spinal nerve may
contribute to its formation. - correct answer ✔✔True
Lumbosacral radiculopathy most commonly involves which of the following groups of spinal
nerves?
a. L1, L2, L3
b. L4, L5, S1 - correct answer ✔✔B
Stenosis at which of the following *IVFs* would most likely cause *L5 radiculopathy*?
a. L4-L5 IVF
b. L5-S1 IVF - correct answer ✔✔B
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*L4 Radiculopathy (Spinal Nerve): *
L3-L4 Disc Herniation.
L4-L5 IVF Sternosis.
,L5 Radiculopathy:
L4-L5 Disc Herniation .
L5-S1 IVF Sternosis.
S1 Radiculopathy:
L5-S1 Disc Herniation.
S1-S2 IVF Sternosis.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*~ Spinal Nerve (N) is same as IVF*
*~ Disc (N-1)*
Herniation at which of the following discs would most likely cause L5 radiculopathy?
a. L4-L5 disc
b. L5-S1 disc - correct answer ✔✔A
If a patient's symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbnmess in *Medial Shin & Medial Foot* are
due to radiculopathy, which spinal nerve would most likely be involved?
a. L2
b. L3
c. L4
d. L5
e. S1 - correct answer ✔✔C
,If a patient's symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbness in *lateral calf* are due to
radiculopathy, which spinal nerve is most likely involved?
a. L2
b. L3
c. L4
d. L5
e. S1 - correct answer ✔✔S1: Lateral Calf ~ Sural N
Your patient presents with *complaints of left sided low back pain and pain, tingling, numbness
in their left lower extremity*. Given the patient's complaints, you are considering the possibility
that they may have a lumbosacral radiculopathy. When you ask the patient to walk across the
room on their toes you observe limited ability to do so on the *left side*. Radiculopathy of
which of the following spinal nerves would most likely be responsible for the observed motor
weakness?
a. L2
b. L3
c. L4
d. L5
e. S1 - correct answer ✔✔E
Your patient presents with complaints of right sided low back pain and pain, tingling, numbness
in their right lower extremity. Given the patient's complaints you are considering the possibility
that they may have a lumbosacral radiculopathy. Your examination reveals *weakness of their
extensor hallicus longus muscle (EHL)*. Radiculopathy of which of the following spinal nerves
would most likely be responsible for the observed motor weakness?
a. L2
b. L3
, c. L4
d. L5
e. S1 - correct answer ✔✔D
~~~~~~~~~~
Extensor Hallicus Longus mm (EHL) = BIG TOE = L5
Your patient's *Quadriceps* DTR is hyporeflexic. If the decreased reflex activity is due to
radiculopathy, which spinal nerve would most likely be compromised?
a. L4
b. L5
c. S1 - correct answer ✔✔A
~~~~~~~~~~~
*L2,3,4 Kick the Door: Quadriceps*.
Mainly L4
Your patient's *Achilles DTR* is hyporeflexic. If the decreased reflex activity is due to
radiculopathy, which spinal nerve would most likely be compromised?
a. L4
b. L5
