N580 Finals Review Questions
and Complete Solutions
Graded A+
sprain - Answer: An injury in which the ligaments holding bones together are stretched too far and tear.
Sprain classifications - Answer: 1st degree (mild)
2nd degree (moderate)
3rd degree (severe - to-failure point)
Sprain treatment - Answer: RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) or PRICE (protection, rest, ice,
compression, elevation)
radiculopathy - Answer: Radiculopathy is a condition where a nerve root in the spine gets pinched or
damaged, causing pain, weakness, or numbness in different parts of the body
Nerve root compression, neurogenic pain
Lumbar radiculopathy—mostly associated with a tumor or metabolic disease
C7—the most common spinal radiculopathy
L5: the most common lumbar radiculopathy
Herniated Nucleus Pulposus: the most common cause
Myelopathy: first to r/o before diagnosis
Finkelstein's test - Answer: Purpose: Assesses for de Quervain's disease.
, Procedure: Have patient place thumb across the palm and make a fist with fingers over the thumb. Test
is positive if moving the wrist into ulnar deviation causes pain at the radial border of the wrist.
If positive, it indicates de Quervain's tenosynovitis.
Quervain's first dorsal compartment tendonitis
Tinel's sign - Answer: A way to detect irritated nerves is by lightly tapping (percussing) over the nerve to
elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the distribution of the nerve.
aid in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, which results from the compression of the median nerve.
Results: If this produces tingling or paresthesia in the median nerve distribution (radiating to the thumb,
index, middle, and radial side of the ring finger), then the test is positive.
Allen's Test (wrist) - Answer: Purpose: Assesses patency of radial and ulnar arteries and the arterial arch.
Procedure: Compress the radial and ulnar arteries at the wrist with examiner's fingers. Have patient
rapidly open and close their hand several times, and then have the patient open the hand. Hand should
be pale or white. Release pressure from one artery. The hand should flush, indicating patency. Perform
again, releasing pressure from the opposite artery.
if blood does not return, the test is POSITIVE (poor circulation)
differentials (ulnar and radial stenosis, Raynaud's)
Phalen's test - Answer: Carpal Tunnel syndrome test
Purpose: Assesses for median nerve compression.
Procedure: Have the patient maintain forced flexion of the wrist for 1 minute or more, with the dorsal
surface of each hand pressed together. If the patient complains of pain, numbness, or paresthesias in
the fingers, the test is considered positive.
and Complete Solutions
Graded A+
sprain - Answer: An injury in which the ligaments holding bones together are stretched too far and tear.
Sprain classifications - Answer: 1st degree (mild)
2nd degree (moderate)
3rd degree (severe - to-failure point)
Sprain treatment - Answer: RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) or PRICE (protection, rest, ice,
compression, elevation)
radiculopathy - Answer: Radiculopathy is a condition where a nerve root in the spine gets pinched or
damaged, causing pain, weakness, or numbness in different parts of the body
Nerve root compression, neurogenic pain
Lumbar radiculopathy—mostly associated with a tumor or metabolic disease
C7—the most common spinal radiculopathy
L5: the most common lumbar radiculopathy
Herniated Nucleus Pulposus: the most common cause
Myelopathy: first to r/o before diagnosis
Finkelstein's test - Answer: Purpose: Assesses for de Quervain's disease.
, Procedure: Have patient place thumb across the palm and make a fist with fingers over the thumb. Test
is positive if moving the wrist into ulnar deviation causes pain at the radial border of the wrist.
If positive, it indicates de Quervain's tenosynovitis.
Quervain's first dorsal compartment tendonitis
Tinel's sign - Answer: A way to detect irritated nerves is by lightly tapping (percussing) over the nerve to
elicit a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the distribution of the nerve.
aid in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, which results from the compression of the median nerve.
Results: If this produces tingling or paresthesia in the median nerve distribution (radiating to the thumb,
index, middle, and radial side of the ring finger), then the test is positive.
Allen's Test (wrist) - Answer: Purpose: Assesses patency of radial and ulnar arteries and the arterial arch.
Procedure: Compress the radial and ulnar arteries at the wrist with examiner's fingers. Have patient
rapidly open and close their hand several times, and then have the patient open the hand. Hand should
be pale or white. Release pressure from one artery. The hand should flush, indicating patency. Perform
again, releasing pressure from the opposite artery.
if blood does not return, the test is POSITIVE (poor circulation)
differentials (ulnar and radial stenosis, Raynaud's)
Phalen's test - Answer: Carpal Tunnel syndrome test
Purpose: Assesses for median nerve compression.
Procedure: Have the patient maintain forced flexion of the wrist for 1 minute or more, with the dorsal
surface of each hand pressed together. If the patient complains of pain, numbness, or paresthesias in
the fingers, the test is considered positive.
