PRIMARY CARE - PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Screening for medical disease takes place:
a. only during the first interview
b. just before the client returns to the physician for his/her next appointment
c. throughout the episode of care
d. none of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-c. throughout the episode of care
Physical Therapists are qualified to make a human movement system diagnosis regarding primary
neuromusculoskeletal conditions, but we must do so in accordance with:
a. The Guide to PT Practice
b. The State Practice Act
c. The screening process
d. The SOAP method ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-b. The State Practice Act
Medical referral for a problem outside the scope of the physical therapy practice occurs when:
a. No apparent movement dysfunction exists
b. No causative factors can be identified
c. Findings are not consistent with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction
d. Client presents with suspicious red-flag symptoms
e. Any of the above
f. None of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-e. Any of the above
T/F: Physical therapy evaluation and intervention may be part of the physician's differential
diagnosis. ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-True
What is the difference between a yellow- and a red-flag symptom? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-A yellow
flag is a cautionary or warning symptom that signals, "Slow down, and think about the need for
screening." A red flag symptom requires immediate attention, either to pursue further screening
questions or tests, or to make an appropriate referral. The presence of a single yellow or red flag is
,not usually cause for immediate medical attention. Each cautionary or warning flag must be viewed
in the context of the whole person, given his or her age, gender, past medical history, and current
clinical presentation.
In the context of screening for referral, primary purpose of a diagnosis is:
a. To obtain reimbursement
b. To guide the plan of care and intervention strategies
c. To practice within the scope of physical therapy
d. To meet the established standards for accreditation ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-B. To guide the plan
of care and intervention strategies
T/F: Direct access is the only reason physical therapists must screen for systemic disease.
✅✅CORRECT ANSW-False
A patient/client gives you a written prescription from a physician, chiropractor, or dentist. The first
screening question to ask is:
a. What did the physician say is the problem?
b. Did the physician examine you?
c. When do you go back to see the doctor?
d. How many times per week did the doctor suggest you come to therapy? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-b.
Did the physician examine you?
What are the major decision-making tools used in the screening process? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-1.
Past medical history
2. Risk factor assessment
3. Clinical presentation (including pain types and pain patterns)
4. Associated signs and symptoms
5. Review of systems.
What are constitutional symptoms? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW--Fever
-Diaphoresis (unexplained perspiration)
-Sweats (anytime)
-Nausea
,-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Pallor
-Dizziness/Syncope (fainting)
-Fatigue
-Weight loss
What is the effect of NSAIDs on blood pressure?
a. No effect
b. Increases blood pressure
c. Decreases blood pressure ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-b. Increases blood pressure
Most of the information needed to determine the cause of symptoms is contained in the:
a. Subjective examination
b. Family/Personal History Form
c. Objective information
d. All of the above
e. a and c ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-a. Subjective examination
With what final question should you always end your interview? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-Any of the
following questions (or similar questions) is appropriate:
-Are any other symptoms of any kind anywhere else in your body that we haven't discussed yet?
-Is there anything else you think is important about your condition that we have not discussed yet?
-Is there anything else you think I should know?
A risk factor for NSAID-related gastropathy is the use of:
a. Antibiotics
b. Antidepressants
c. Antihypertensives
d. Antihistamines ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-b. Antidepressants
, After interviewing a new client, you summarize what she has told you by saying, "You told me you
are here because of right neck and shoulder pain that began 5 years ago as a result of a car accident.
You also have a 'pins and needles' sensation in your third and fourth fingers but no other symptoms
at this time. You have noticed a considerable decrease in your grip strength and you would like to be
able to pick up a pot of coffee without fear of spilling it."
This is an example of:
a. An open-ended question
b. A funnel technique
c. A paraphrasing technique
d. None of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-c. A paraphrasing technique
T/F: Screening for alcohol use would be appropriate when the client reports a history of accidents.
✅✅CORRECT ANSW-True
What is the significance of sweats?
a. A sign of systemic disease
b. Side effect of chemotherapy or other medications
c. Poor ventilation while sleeping
d. All of the above
e. None of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-d. All of the above
T/F: Spontaneous uterine bleeding after 12 consecutive months without menstrual bleeding requires
medical referral. ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-True
Which of the following are red flags to consider when screening for systemic or viscerogenic causes
of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal signs and symptoms:
a. Fever, (night) sweats, dizziness
b. Symptoms are out of proportion to injury
c. Insidious onset
d. No position is comfortable
e. All of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-e. All of the above
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Screening for medical disease takes place:
a. only during the first interview
b. just before the client returns to the physician for his/her next appointment
c. throughout the episode of care
d. none of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-c. throughout the episode of care
Physical Therapists are qualified to make a human movement system diagnosis regarding primary
neuromusculoskeletal conditions, but we must do so in accordance with:
a. The Guide to PT Practice
b. The State Practice Act
c. The screening process
d. The SOAP method ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-b. The State Practice Act
Medical referral for a problem outside the scope of the physical therapy practice occurs when:
a. No apparent movement dysfunction exists
b. No causative factors can be identified
c. Findings are not consistent with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction
d. Client presents with suspicious red-flag symptoms
e. Any of the above
f. None of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-e. Any of the above
T/F: Physical therapy evaluation and intervention may be part of the physician's differential
diagnosis. ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-True
What is the difference between a yellow- and a red-flag symptom? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-A yellow
flag is a cautionary or warning symptom that signals, "Slow down, and think about the need for
screening." A red flag symptom requires immediate attention, either to pursue further screening
questions or tests, or to make an appropriate referral. The presence of a single yellow or red flag is
,not usually cause for immediate medical attention. Each cautionary or warning flag must be viewed
in the context of the whole person, given his or her age, gender, past medical history, and current
clinical presentation.
In the context of screening for referral, primary purpose of a diagnosis is:
a. To obtain reimbursement
b. To guide the plan of care and intervention strategies
c. To practice within the scope of physical therapy
d. To meet the established standards for accreditation ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-B. To guide the plan
of care and intervention strategies
T/F: Direct access is the only reason physical therapists must screen for systemic disease.
✅✅CORRECT ANSW-False
A patient/client gives you a written prescription from a physician, chiropractor, or dentist. The first
screening question to ask is:
a. What did the physician say is the problem?
b. Did the physician examine you?
c. When do you go back to see the doctor?
d. How many times per week did the doctor suggest you come to therapy? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-b.
Did the physician examine you?
What are the major decision-making tools used in the screening process? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-1.
Past medical history
2. Risk factor assessment
3. Clinical presentation (including pain types and pain patterns)
4. Associated signs and symptoms
5. Review of systems.
What are constitutional symptoms? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW--Fever
-Diaphoresis (unexplained perspiration)
-Sweats (anytime)
-Nausea
,-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Pallor
-Dizziness/Syncope (fainting)
-Fatigue
-Weight loss
What is the effect of NSAIDs on blood pressure?
a. No effect
b. Increases blood pressure
c. Decreases blood pressure ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-b. Increases blood pressure
Most of the information needed to determine the cause of symptoms is contained in the:
a. Subjective examination
b. Family/Personal History Form
c. Objective information
d. All of the above
e. a and c ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-a. Subjective examination
With what final question should you always end your interview? ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-Any of the
following questions (or similar questions) is appropriate:
-Are any other symptoms of any kind anywhere else in your body that we haven't discussed yet?
-Is there anything else you think is important about your condition that we have not discussed yet?
-Is there anything else you think I should know?
A risk factor for NSAID-related gastropathy is the use of:
a. Antibiotics
b. Antidepressants
c. Antihypertensives
d. Antihistamines ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-b. Antidepressants
, After interviewing a new client, you summarize what she has told you by saying, "You told me you
are here because of right neck and shoulder pain that began 5 years ago as a result of a car accident.
You also have a 'pins and needles' sensation in your third and fourth fingers but no other symptoms
at this time. You have noticed a considerable decrease in your grip strength and you would like to be
able to pick up a pot of coffee without fear of spilling it."
This is an example of:
a. An open-ended question
b. A funnel technique
c. A paraphrasing technique
d. None of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-c. A paraphrasing technique
T/F: Screening for alcohol use would be appropriate when the client reports a history of accidents.
✅✅CORRECT ANSW-True
What is the significance of sweats?
a. A sign of systemic disease
b. Side effect of chemotherapy or other medications
c. Poor ventilation while sleeping
d. All of the above
e. None of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-d. All of the above
T/F: Spontaneous uterine bleeding after 12 consecutive months without menstrual bleeding requires
medical referral. ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-True
Which of the following are red flags to consider when screening for systemic or viscerogenic causes
of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal signs and symptoms:
a. Fever, (night) sweats, dizziness
b. Symptoms are out of proportion to injury
c. Insidious onset
d. No position is comfortable
e. All of the above ✅✅CORRECT ANSW-e. All of the above
