American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Board
Certification Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025/2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which osteopathic principle emphasizes that the body is a unit composed of body, mind, and
spirit?
A. Structure and function are interrelated
B. The body has self-regulatory mechanisms
C. The body is a unit: body, mind, and spirit
D. Rational treatment is based on body unity
This is one of the four tenets of osteopathic medicine emphasizing holistic care.
2. The “arterial rule of the body” in osteopathic medicine highlights the importance of:
A. Venous drainage
B. Unimpeded blood flow for health
C. Lymphatic stasis
D. Neural transmission
Osteopathic philosophy values proper circulation as vital to tissue health.
3. Which technique uses rhythmic compression to assist lymphatic flow?
A. Counterstrain
B. Muscle energy
C. Thoracic pump
D. HVLA
Thoracic pump enhances lymphatic drainage and immune response.
4. A 45-year-old male presents with right lower quadrant pain. Which osteopathic test may help
assess the psoas muscle involvement?
A. Thomas test
B. Ober test
C. Spurling test
D. Neer test
Thomas test identifies hip flexor tightness or psoas dysfunction.
5. During inhalation, the sacral base moves:
A. Posteriorly
B. Anteriorly
,C. Inferiorly
D. Laterally
Sacral base moves anteriorly with spinal extension (inhalation phase).
6. Which cranial bone articulates with all others?
A. Temporal
B. Ethmoid
C. Sphenoid
D. Occipital
Sphenoid is the “keystone” of the cranium.
7. A patient with somatic dysfunction at T1–T4 may have viscerosomatic reflexes related to:
A. Stomach
B. Heart
C. Kidneys
D. Colon
T1–T4 corresponds to cardiac sympathetic innervation.
8. For a patient with asthma, which rib dysfunction is commonly involved?
A. Rib 1
B. Ribs 3–5
C. Ribs 6–9
D. Ribs 11–12
Ribs 3–5 correspond to the pectoralis minor, which aids inspiration.
9. The primary respiratory mechanism includes all except:
A. Fluctuation of CSF
B. Mobility of cranial bones
C. Mobility of the sacrum
D. Expansion of the lungs
PRM is independent of pulmonary respiration.
10. A 60-year-old male with type 2 diabetes develops Charcot foot. The underlying mechanism
involves:
A. Peripheral neuropathy
B. Arterial occlusion
C. Lymphatic obstruction
D. Venous thrombosis
Neuropathy causes unrecognized trauma and joint collapse.
, 11. The preferred initial test for suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is:
A. CT angiography
B. Venous duplex ultrasound
C. D-dimer
D. MRI
Ultrasound is noninvasive and highly sensitive for DVT.
12. In heart failure, the Frank-Starling law explains that:
A. Increased preload always reduces contractility
B. Increased preload enhances contraction until a limit
C. Stroke volume is independent of EDV
D. Heart rate determines preload
Cardiac output rises with increased venous return up to a physiological limit.
13. Which antibiotic is most appropriate for community-acquired pneumonia in a healthy adult?
A. Cefepime
B. Azithromycin
C. Piperacillin-tazobactam
D. Linezolid
Macrolides cover typical and atypical organisms.
14. A 24-year-old female with dysuria and frequency has no fever. The first-line treatment is:
A. Nitrofurantoin
B. Ciprofloxacin
C. Ceftriaxone
D. Trimethoprim alone
Nitrofurantoin is preferred for uncomplicated cystitis.
15. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the U.S. is:
A. Toxic multinodular goiter
B. Subacute thyroiditis
C. Graves disease
D. Pituitary adenoma
Autoimmune stimulation of TSH receptors defines Graves disease.
16. Which hormone is elevated in primary hyperparathyroidism?
Certification Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025/2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which osteopathic principle emphasizes that the body is a unit composed of body, mind, and
spirit?
A. Structure and function are interrelated
B. The body has self-regulatory mechanisms
C. The body is a unit: body, mind, and spirit
D. Rational treatment is based on body unity
This is one of the four tenets of osteopathic medicine emphasizing holistic care.
2. The “arterial rule of the body” in osteopathic medicine highlights the importance of:
A. Venous drainage
B. Unimpeded blood flow for health
C. Lymphatic stasis
D. Neural transmission
Osteopathic philosophy values proper circulation as vital to tissue health.
3. Which technique uses rhythmic compression to assist lymphatic flow?
A. Counterstrain
B. Muscle energy
C. Thoracic pump
D. HVLA
Thoracic pump enhances lymphatic drainage and immune response.
4. A 45-year-old male presents with right lower quadrant pain. Which osteopathic test may help
assess the psoas muscle involvement?
A. Thomas test
B. Ober test
C. Spurling test
D. Neer test
Thomas test identifies hip flexor tightness or psoas dysfunction.
5. During inhalation, the sacral base moves:
A. Posteriorly
B. Anteriorly
,C. Inferiorly
D. Laterally
Sacral base moves anteriorly with spinal extension (inhalation phase).
6. Which cranial bone articulates with all others?
A. Temporal
B. Ethmoid
C. Sphenoid
D. Occipital
Sphenoid is the “keystone” of the cranium.
7. A patient with somatic dysfunction at T1–T4 may have viscerosomatic reflexes related to:
A. Stomach
B. Heart
C. Kidneys
D. Colon
T1–T4 corresponds to cardiac sympathetic innervation.
8. For a patient with asthma, which rib dysfunction is commonly involved?
A. Rib 1
B. Ribs 3–5
C. Ribs 6–9
D. Ribs 11–12
Ribs 3–5 correspond to the pectoralis minor, which aids inspiration.
9. The primary respiratory mechanism includes all except:
A. Fluctuation of CSF
B. Mobility of cranial bones
C. Mobility of the sacrum
D. Expansion of the lungs
PRM is independent of pulmonary respiration.
10. A 60-year-old male with type 2 diabetes develops Charcot foot. The underlying mechanism
involves:
A. Peripheral neuropathy
B. Arterial occlusion
C. Lymphatic obstruction
D. Venous thrombosis
Neuropathy causes unrecognized trauma and joint collapse.
, 11. The preferred initial test for suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is:
A. CT angiography
B. Venous duplex ultrasound
C. D-dimer
D. MRI
Ultrasound is noninvasive and highly sensitive for DVT.
12. In heart failure, the Frank-Starling law explains that:
A. Increased preload always reduces contractility
B. Increased preload enhances contraction until a limit
C. Stroke volume is independent of EDV
D. Heart rate determines preload
Cardiac output rises with increased venous return up to a physiological limit.
13. Which antibiotic is most appropriate for community-acquired pneumonia in a healthy adult?
A. Cefepime
B. Azithromycin
C. Piperacillin-tazobactam
D. Linezolid
Macrolides cover typical and atypical organisms.
14. A 24-year-old female with dysuria and frequency has no fever. The first-line treatment is:
A. Nitrofurantoin
B. Ciprofloxacin
C. Ceftriaxone
D. Trimethoprim alone
Nitrofurantoin is preferred for uncomplicated cystitis.
15. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the U.S. is:
A. Toxic multinodular goiter
B. Subacute thyroiditis
C. Graves disease
D. Pituitary adenoma
Autoimmune stimulation of TSH receptors defines Graves disease.
16. Which hormone is elevated in primary hyperparathyroidism?
