2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
NPLEX 2 Orthopedic Tests Questions and
Correct Answers | Latest Update
Adam Sign
✓ -:- Vertebral column
✓ SCOLIOSIS
✓ - Pt standing, feet together knees straight, bend fwd at hips and allow
arms to drop vertically.
✓ POSITIVE: Scoliosis not improved with fwd flexion
✓ MEANING: Structural scoliosis
"Adam has structural scoliosis"
Adson test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = TOS
- arm away fr body at 45 degree angle.
- palp radial pulses simultaneously while lat rotates/extends neck for 30 sec.
1|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
,2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
ADSON'S = ipsilateral
REVERSE ADSON'S (HALSTEAD'S) = contralateral
+ test = disappearance or weakened radial pulse
d/t tight anterior scalene or cervical rib --> TOS
"ADDing the head turn will change the pulse in TOS... damn Adson's rib/scalene"
Braggard test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = sciatica, IVD lesion
- supine, during SLR, back off point of shooting pain, dorsiflex foot
+ = pain --> sciatica
@ 0-35 --> extradural
@35-70 --> intradural, IVD lesion
2|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
,2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
"A bragging girl flexed her foot and herniated a disc and pinched her sciatic n."
Bechterew Test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = sciatica
- sitting, flex neck, extends one knee at a time, no sx --> extend both legs
+ sx elicited --> d/t tension in SCIATIC n
.
"Bech's brew got him drunk (sitting, head slumped while kicking legs) and he got sciatica."
Burns Bench Test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = malingering
- kneel on table, ask to bend and touch floor w/ fingers while holding their ankles
+ not able to perform test or refuses d/t malingering
3|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
, 2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
"kneeling on a burning bench makes you a malingerer!"
Cervical spine compression test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = n. root issue
- seated, press straight down on head, bend head laterally to each side then extend and lat
bend.
+ = pain d/t intervertebral foramina compressing nerve roots
- Straight down --> severe n root inflam.
- lateral flex, ipsilateral --> n root compression
- lateral flex, contralateral pain --> n root contraction
Cervical spine distraction test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = ligament/musc injury or n. impingement
- seated; distract head
4|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
NPLEX 2 Orthopedic Tests Questions and
Correct Answers | Latest Update
Adam Sign
✓ -:- Vertebral column
✓ SCOLIOSIS
✓ - Pt standing, feet together knees straight, bend fwd at hips and allow
arms to drop vertically.
✓ POSITIVE: Scoliosis not improved with fwd flexion
✓ MEANING: Structural scoliosis
"Adam has structural scoliosis"
Adson test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = TOS
- arm away fr body at 45 degree angle.
- palp radial pulses simultaneously while lat rotates/extends neck for 30 sec.
1|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
,2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
ADSON'S = ipsilateral
REVERSE ADSON'S (HALSTEAD'S) = contralateral
+ test = disappearance or weakened radial pulse
d/t tight anterior scalene or cervical rib --> TOS
"ADDing the head turn will change the pulse in TOS... damn Adson's rib/scalene"
Braggard test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = sciatica, IVD lesion
- supine, during SLR, back off point of shooting pain, dorsiflex foot
+ = pain --> sciatica
@ 0-35 --> extradural
@35-70 --> intradural, IVD lesion
2|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
,2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
"A bragging girl flexed her foot and herniated a disc and pinched her sciatic n."
Bechterew Test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = sciatica
- sitting, flex neck, extends one knee at a time, no sx --> extend both legs
+ sx elicited --> d/t tension in SCIATIC n
.
"Bech's brew got him drunk (sitting, head slumped while kicking legs) and he got sciatica."
Burns Bench Test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = malingering
- kneel on table, ask to bend and touch floor w/ fingers while holding their ankles
+ not able to perform test or refuses d/t malingering
3|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
, 2024 /2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
"kneeling on a burning bench makes you a malingerer!"
Cervical spine compression test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = n. root issue
- seated, press straight down on head, bend head laterally to each side then extend and lat
bend.
+ = pain d/t intervertebral foramina compressing nerve roots
- Straight down --> severe n root inflam.
- lateral flex, ipsilateral --> n root compression
- lateral flex, contralateral pain --> n root contraction
Cervical spine distraction test
✓ -:- Vertebral column = ligament/musc injury or n. impingement
- seated; distract head
4|P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 2 0 2 5
