NCBE CHIROPRACTIC BOARDS PART III |ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-2027
UPDATED EDITION|GRADED A+
Question 1
*A 23-year-old female woke up this morning with neck pain and stiffness. She rates her
pain as being 7/10. On examination her head is tilted to one side, Cervical compression
and distraction produce local pain. Kernig's and Brudzinski tests are negative. Muscle and
sensory tests are all normal. Right lateral flexion and left rotation are significantly
restricted.
*Which three diagnoses might be present in this patient?*
Paraspinal muscle contraction
Sprained neck
Torticollis
Cervical disc
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sternocleidomastoid spasm
Trapezius spasm
Meningitis
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,Spinous fracture
CORRECT ANSWER
Torticollis
Sternocleidomastoid spasm
Trapezius spasm
Question 2
*A 23-year-old female woke up this morning with neck pain and stiffness. She rates her
pain as being 7/10. On examination her head is tilted to one side, Cervical compression
and distraction produce local pain. Kernig's and Brudzinski tests are negative. Muscle and
sensory tests are all normal. Right lateral flexion and left rotation are significantly
restricted.
*Which should NOT be included in the management plan for this patient?*
Heat for Pain
Ice for Pain
Spray and Stretch
Adjust
AROM exercises
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,Trigger Point
Cervical Fusion
Hard Cervical Collar
Soft Cervical Collar
CORRECT ANSWER
Heat for Pain
Cervical Fusion
Hard Cervical Collar
Question 3
*A 23-year-old female woke up this morning with neck pain and stiffness. She rates her
pain as being 7/10. On examination her head is tilted to one side, Cervical compression
and distraction produce local pain. Kernig's and Brudzinski tests are negative. Muscle and
sensory tests are all normal. Right lateral flexion and left rotation are significantly
restricted.*
*Which additional instructions should be given to this patient to perform at home?*
Continue to wear soft collar
Isotonic strengthening exercises
TENS unit for pain
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, Continue to wear hard collar
Massage the sore muscles
Cold packs for the pain
ROM exercises to patient's tolerance
NSAIDs if needed
Thermotherapy
CORRECT ANSWER
Massage the sore muscles
Cold packs for the pain
ROM exercises to patient's tolerance
Question 4
*A 31-year-old female presents with severe neck pain and weakness in the upper
extremities following a MVA. She is unable to perceive pain in the region of her shoulders
when tested with the pinwheel. Jackson's and Shoulder depression tests are positive.
*Which are the most likely diagnoses?*
Osteoporotic fracture
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-2027
UPDATED EDITION|GRADED A+
Question 1
*A 23-year-old female woke up this morning with neck pain and stiffness. She rates her
pain as being 7/10. On examination her head is tilted to one side, Cervical compression
and distraction produce local pain. Kernig's and Brudzinski tests are negative. Muscle and
sensory tests are all normal. Right lateral flexion and left rotation are significantly
restricted.
*Which three diagnoses might be present in this patient?*
Paraspinal muscle contraction
Sprained neck
Torticollis
Cervical disc
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sternocleidomastoid spasm
Trapezius spasm
Meningitis
1
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,Spinous fracture
CORRECT ANSWER
Torticollis
Sternocleidomastoid spasm
Trapezius spasm
Question 2
*A 23-year-old female woke up this morning with neck pain and stiffness. She rates her
pain as being 7/10. On examination her head is tilted to one side, Cervical compression
and distraction produce local pain. Kernig's and Brudzinski tests are negative. Muscle and
sensory tests are all normal. Right lateral flexion and left rotation are significantly
restricted.
*Which should NOT be included in the management plan for this patient?*
Heat for Pain
Ice for Pain
Spray and Stretch
Adjust
AROM exercises
2
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
,Trigger Point
Cervical Fusion
Hard Cervical Collar
Soft Cervical Collar
CORRECT ANSWER
Heat for Pain
Cervical Fusion
Hard Cervical Collar
Question 3
*A 23-year-old female woke up this morning with neck pain and stiffness. She rates her
pain as being 7/10. On examination her head is tilted to one side, Cervical compression
and distraction produce local pain. Kernig's and Brudzinski tests are negative. Muscle and
sensory tests are all normal. Right lateral flexion and left rotation are significantly
restricted.*
*Which additional instructions should be given to this patient to perform at home?*
Continue to wear soft collar
Isotonic strengthening exercises
TENS unit for pain
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, Continue to wear hard collar
Massage the sore muscles
Cold packs for the pain
ROM exercises to patient's tolerance
NSAIDs if needed
Thermotherapy
CORRECT ANSWER
Massage the sore muscles
Cold packs for the pain
ROM exercises to patient's tolerance
Question 4
*A 31-year-old female presents with severe neck pain and weakness in the upper
extremities following a MVA. She is unable to perceive pain in the region of her shoulders
when tested with the pinwheel. Jackson's and Shoulder depression tests are positive.
*Which are the most likely diagnoses?*
Osteoporotic fracture
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
