2024/2025
1. One of the initial steps in assessing patients with musculoskeletal complaints is to determine
whether the complaint is articular or nonarticular in origin. Which of the following is an example of an
articular structure?
a. Bone
b. Synovium
c. Tendons
d. Fascia b. Synovium
2. You have detected the presence of crepitus on examination of a patient with a musculoskeletal
complaint. Additionally, there is limited range of motion (ROM) with both active and passive
movement. These findings suggest that the origin of the musculoskeletal complaint is:
a. Articular
b. Inflammatory
c. Nonarticular
d. A and B a. Articular
3. Which of the following signs or symptoms indicate an inflammatory etiology to musculoskeletal
pain?
a. Decreased C-reactive protein
b. Hyperalbuminemia
c. Morning stiffness
d. Weight gain c. Morning stiffness
4. Which of the following statements concerning the musculoskeletal examination is true?
a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to the involved side.
b. The part of the body that is causing the patient pain should be examined first.
c. When possible, the patient should not be asked to perform active range-of-motion (ROM) exercises
to avoid causing pain.
d. Radiographs should always be obtained prior to examination so as not to cause further injury to the
patient.a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to the involved side.
, 5. You are performing muscle strength testing on a patient presenting with musculoskeletal pain and
find that the patient has complete ROM with gravity eliminated. Which numeric grade of muscle
strength would you give this patient?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5 b. 2
6. Mrs. Gray is a 55-year-old woman who presents with tightness, pain, and limited movement in her
right shoulder. She denies any history of trauma. Her examination reveals a 75% reduction in both
active and passive ROM of the right shoulder. Mrs. Gray also is experiencing tenderness with motion
and pain at the deltoid insertion. Her medical history is significant for type 1 diabetes mellitus and
hypertension. Her social history reveals that she is a secretary and that she is right-handed. Based on
her examination and medical history, you suspect adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder." Which clue
in Mrs. Gray's history supports this diagnosis?
a. History of hypertension
b. Her affected shoulder is also her dominant arm.
c. Her history of diabetes mellitus
d. Her work as a secretary predisposes her to repetitive motions. c. Her history of diabetes
mellitus
Mrs. Anderson is a 35-year-old woman who has been recently diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.
She has two young children and asks the clinician what the chances are that they also will develop
carpal tunnel syndrome. Which of the following responses would be correct regarding the risk of
developing carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families. Genetic factors are thought to account for
about one-half the risk of developing carpal tunnel.
b. Only people with occupations that require repeated flexion extension of the wrist, use of hand tools
that require forceful gripping, or use of hand tools that vibrate are at risk for developing carpal tunnel.
c. An underlying musculoskeletal disorder must be present for a person to develop carpal tunnel.
d. Carpal tunnel syndrome only occurs in the presence of a hormonal imbalance. a. Carpal
tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families. Genetic factors are thought to account for about one-
half the risk of developing carpal tunnel.
Which of the following statements is true regarding the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. The goal of treatment is to prevent flexion and extension movements of the wrist.