ABPTS OCS EXAM PREP |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A 32-year-old female patient with pelvic and low back pain who also reports some left
shoulder pain sporadically is being seen in physical therapy and experiences little
improvement despite a well-rounded, evidence-informed treatment approach. The
physical therapist suspects a systemic issue, not a musculoskeletal condition. Based on the
patient's clinical presentation, what is one of the first areas that should be followed up
on?
A. Asking the patient about any changes/problems with urination
B. Asking the patient about a family history of cancer
C. Asking the patient if she has any difficulty swallowing or has recently felt an increase in
heartburn or indigestion.
D. Asking the patient if she has had a recent trauma or accident
CORRECT ANSWER
A.
Asking the patient about any changes/problems with urination
Explanation
The combination of pelvic, low back, and left shoulder pain is a sign of involvement from
the renal system, so it is important to ask about possible kidney involvement. [Goodman,
C. C., & Snyder, T. E. K. (2012). Differential diagnosis for physical therapists: Screening for
referral. Elsevier.]
B.
Asking the patient about a family history of cancer
Explanation
Although it is possible that this individual had a prior history of cancer and it may have
metastasized, the presentation fits a renal problem, so the questions should be directed
toward renal or urinary tract disorders.
C.
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Asking the patient if she has any difficulty swallowing or has recently felt an increase in
heartburn or indigestion
Explanation
It would be more likely that the patient would have abdominal pain along with the low
back pain if a gastrointestinal pathology were present.
D.
Asking the patient if she has had a recent trauma or accident
Explanation
There is very little information in this question to indicate that trauma or an accident had
caused the patient's pelvic, low back, and left shoulder pain.
Question 2
Which of the following is a risk factor for development of ankylosing spondylitis?
A.
Crohn's disease
B.
Eczema
C.
Gout
D.
Osteoarthritis
CORRECT ANSWER
A.
Crohn's disease
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Explanation
Crohn's disease, along with irritable bowel syndrome, is one of the largest risk factors for
ankylosing spondylitis. Along with that, having any of the other spondyloarthropathies
puts one at risk for development of ankylosing spondylitis. [Jordan, C. L., & Rhon, D. I.
(2012). Differential diagnosis and management of ankylosing spondylitis masked as
adhesive capsulitis: A resident's case problem. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports
Physical Therapy, 42(10), 842-852.]
check_circle
B.
Eczema
Explanation
Eczema is a common clinical finding in those with Crohn's disease, but it is not a risk
factor for ankylosing spondylitis.
C.
Gout
Explanation
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis commonly seen in men over the age of 40, but it is not
an important risk factor for ankylosing spondylitis.
D.
Osteoarthritis
Explanation
Osteoarthritis has not been found to place patients at higher risk for ankylosing
spondylitis, but any form of inflammatory arthritis does.
Question 3
A 75-year-old active female is referred to physical therapy for osteoporosis in bilateral
hips. The physical therapist is most concerned with being able to reverse or reduce the
impact of the loss of bone mineral density. Based on evidence, which of the following
interventions can reverse or reduce the impact of loss of bone mineral density?
A.
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, High-intensity aerobic exercise
B.
Low-intensity aerobic exercise
C.
High-load, high-repetition strength training
D.
Postural and balance exercise
CORRECT ANSWER
A.
High-intensity aerobic exercise
Explanation
There is moderate evidence to suggest that high-intensity aerobic exercise may be the
most appropriate intervention to either reduce or reverse the loss of bone mineral
density. [Dutton, M. (2008). Orthopaedic examination, evaluation, and intervention (2nd
ed.). McGraw-Hill.]
B.
Low-intensity aerobic exercise
Explanation
Although low-intensity aerobic exercise is helpful for an individual with osteoporosis, it
has not been seen as the intervention to have the greatest impact on a patient's
osteoporosis.
C.
High-load, high-repetition strength training
Explanation
Strength training is excellent for those with osteoporosis, but high-load, low-repetition
strength training has actually increased bone mineral density compared to low-load,
high-repetition strength training. High-load, high-repetition strength training is rarely a
good idea.
D.
Postural and balance exercise
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A 32-year-old female patient with pelvic and low back pain who also reports some left
shoulder pain sporadically is being seen in physical therapy and experiences little
improvement despite a well-rounded, evidence-informed treatment approach. The
physical therapist suspects a systemic issue, not a musculoskeletal condition. Based on the
patient's clinical presentation, what is one of the first areas that should be followed up
on?
A. Asking the patient about any changes/problems with urination
B. Asking the patient about a family history of cancer
C. Asking the patient if she has any difficulty swallowing or has recently felt an increase in
heartburn or indigestion.
D. Asking the patient if she has had a recent trauma or accident
CORRECT ANSWER
A.
Asking the patient about any changes/problems with urination
Explanation
The combination of pelvic, low back, and left shoulder pain is a sign of involvement from
the renal system, so it is important to ask about possible kidney involvement. [Goodman,
C. C., & Snyder, T. E. K. (2012). Differential diagnosis for physical therapists: Screening for
referral. Elsevier.]
B.
Asking the patient about a family history of cancer
Explanation
Although it is possible that this individual had a prior history of cancer and it may have
metastasized, the presentation fits a renal problem, so the questions should be directed
toward renal or urinary tract disorders.
C.
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Asking the patient if she has any difficulty swallowing or has recently felt an increase in
heartburn or indigestion
Explanation
It would be more likely that the patient would have abdominal pain along with the low
back pain if a gastrointestinal pathology were present.
D.
Asking the patient if she has had a recent trauma or accident
Explanation
There is very little information in this question to indicate that trauma or an accident had
caused the patient's pelvic, low back, and left shoulder pain.
Question 2
Which of the following is a risk factor for development of ankylosing spondylitis?
A.
Crohn's disease
B.
Eczema
C.
Gout
D.
Osteoarthritis
CORRECT ANSWER
A.
Crohn's disease
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Explanation
Crohn's disease, along with irritable bowel syndrome, is one of the largest risk factors for
ankylosing spondylitis. Along with that, having any of the other spondyloarthropathies
puts one at risk for development of ankylosing spondylitis. [Jordan, C. L., & Rhon, D. I.
(2012). Differential diagnosis and management of ankylosing spondylitis masked as
adhesive capsulitis: A resident's case problem. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports
Physical Therapy, 42(10), 842-852.]
check_circle
B.
Eczema
Explanation
Eczema is a common clinical finding in those with Crohn's disease, but it is not a risk
factor for ankylosing spondylitis.
C.
Gout
Explanation
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis commonly seen in men over the age of 40, but it is not
an important risk factor for ankylosing spondylitis.
D.
Osteoarthritis
Explanation
Osteoarthritis has not been found to place patients at higher risk for ankylosing
spondylitis, but any form of inflammatory arthritis does.
Question 3
A 75-year-old active female is referred to physical therapy for osteoporosis in bilateral
hips. The physical therapist is most concerned with being able to reverse or reduce the
impact of the loss of bone mineral density. Based on evidence, which of the following
interventions can reverse or reduce the impact of loss of bone mineral density?
A.
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, High-intensity aerobic exercise
B.
Low-intensity aerobic exercise
C.
High-load, high-repetition strength training
D.
Postural and balance exercise
CORRECT ANSWER
A.
High-intensity aerobic exercise
Explanation
There is moderate evidence to suggest that high-intensity aerobic exercise may be the
most appropriate intervention to either reduce or reverse the loss of bone mineral
density. [Dutton, M. (2008). Orthopaedic examination, evaluation, and intervention (2nd
ed.). McGraw-Hill.]
B.
Low-intensity aerobic exercise
Explanation
Although low-intensity aerobic exercise is helpful for an individual with osteoporosis, it
has not been seen as the intervention to have the greatest impact on a patient's
osteoporosis.
C.
High-load, high-repetition strength training
Explanation
Strength training is excellent for those with osteoporosis, but high-load, low-repetition
strength training has actually increased bone mineral density compared to low-load,
high-repetition strength training. High-load, high-repetition strength training is rarely a
good idea.
D.
Postural and balance exercise
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
