MSK EXAM 3 | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 2026/2027
T/F Discogenic pain typically causes pain in a dermatomal pattern - ANS ✔✔T
T/F Severe movement loss is red flag - ANS ✔✔F, could be guarding, not contractile tissue
Which of these would NOT be considered a yellow flag?
A) Smoking
B) Use of extended rest
C) Constant pain
D) Excessive reliance on braces/aids - ANS ✔✔C) Constant pain
The 5 D's are a sign of what?
A) Neoplasm
B) Vertebral artery insufficiency
C) Upper cervical ligamentous stability
D) Cervical Myelopathy - ANS ✔✔B) Vertebral insuff, could also be cervical artery dysfunction or
vertebrobasal insufficiency
Which of these is NOT one of the 5 D's
A) Dysrhythmia
B) Diplopia
, C) Dysphagia
D) Drop Attacks - ANS ✔✔A) Dysrhythmia
A pt has been referred to PT for neck pain. During your evaluation, they state that the pain
starts on the right of the "bony part" of the back of their head and runs the outside of their
neck above their ear and behind their jaw. They have a negative babinski and clonus. R lateral
flex was normal while L lateral flex was slightly limited Which of these is most likely diagnosis?
A) Cervical myelopathy
B) Trapezius lesion
C) Upper Cervical Ligamentous Instability
D) Multifidus lesion - ANS ✔✔B) Trapezius lesion
A pt post motor vehicle accident is being assessed. The PT found that when they moved the pt
into slight cervical flexion and they applied force anterior to posterior through the forehead,
symptoms were relieved. What anatomical structure was being evaluated?
A) Alar ligament
B) Cervical spinous process
C) Transverse ligament
D) Cervical facet joint - ANS ✔✔C) Transverse ligament
A PT uses a pincer grip on the C2 spinous process to stabilize, passvily moving head into side
flexion while feeling C2 movement. What test is being performed?
A) Alar ligament stress test
B) Sharp -Purser Test
C) Canadian C-Spine rules
ANSWERS 2026/2027
T/F Discogenic pain typically causes pain in a dermatomal pattern - ANS ✔✔T
T/F Severe movement loss is red flag - ANS ✔✔F, could be guarding, not contractile tissue
Which of these would NOT be considered a yellow flag?
A) Smoking
B) Use of extended rest
C) Constant pain
D) Excessive reliance on braces/aids - ANS ✔✔C) Constant pain
The 5 D's are a sign of what?
A) Neoplasm
B) Vertebral artery insufficiency
C) Upper cervical ligamentous stability
D) Cervical Myelopathy - ANS ✔✔B) Vertebral insuff, could also be cervical artery dysfunction or
vertebrobasal insufficiency
Which of these is NOT one of the 5 D's
A) Dysrhythmia
B) Diplopia
, C) Dysphagia
D) Drop Attacks - ANS ✔✔A) Dysrhythmia
A pt has been referred to PT for neck pain. During your evaluation, they state that the pain
starts on the right of the "bony part" of the back of their head and runs the outside of their
neck above their ear and behind their jaw. They have a negative babinski and clonus. R lateral
flex was normal while L lateral flex was slightly limited Which of these is most likely diagnosis?
A) Cervical myelopathy
B) Trapezius lesion
C) Upper Cervical Ligamentous Instability
D) Multifidus lesion - ANS ✔✔B) Trapezius lesion
A pt post motor vehicle accident is being assessed. The PT found that when they moved the pt
into slight cervical flexion and they applied force anterior to posterior through the forehead,
symptoms were relieved. What anatomical structure was being evaluated?
A) Alar ligament
B) Cervical spinous process
C) Transverse ligament
D) Cervical facet joint - ANS ✔✔C) Transverse ligament
A PT uses a pincer grip on the C2 spinous process to stabilize, passvily moving head into side
flexion while feeling C2 movement. What test is being performed?
A) Alar ligament stress test
B) Sharp -Purser Test
C) Canadian C-Spine rules
