MN 566 UNIT 6. DUNPHY CHAPTER 15
(MUSCULOSKELETAL) EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
One of the initial steps in assessing pt's w/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 - ANS b. Synovium
You have detected the presence of crepitus on exam of a pt with a musculskeletal complaint.
Additionally, there is limited ROM w/both active and passive movement. These findings suggest
that the origin of the musculoskeletal complaint is: - ANS Articular
Which of the following signs or symptoms indicate an inflammatory etiology to musculoskeletal
pain?
a. Decreased CRP
b. Hyperalbuminemia
c. Morning stiffness
d. Weight gain - ANS c. Morning stiffness
Which of the following statements concerning the musculoskeletal exam is true?
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, 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 pain should be examined first.
c. When possible, the pt should not be asked to perform active ROM exercises to avoid causing
pain.
d. Radiographs should always be obtained prior to examination so as not to cause further injury
to the pt. - ANS a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to
the involved side.
You are performing muscle strength testing on a pt presenting w/musculoskeletal pain and find
that the pt has complete ROM w/gravity eliminated. Which numeric grade of muscle strength
would you give this pt, 1-5? - ANS 2
Mrs. Gray is a 55yo woman who presents with tightness, pain, and limited movement in her
right shoulder. She denies any h/o trauma. Her exam 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 hx is significant for type 1 diabetes mellitus and HTN.
Her social hx reveals that she is a secretary and that she is right-handed. Based on her
examination and medical hx, you suspect adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder." Which clue
in Mrs. Gray's hx supports this dx? - ANS Her h/o diabetes
Jennifer is an 18yo who comes to the ER after a fall during a soccer game. Jennifer explains that
she fell on her left side and kept her arm out straight to break her fall. She has been
experiencing severe pain and limited ROM in her left shoulder. The clinician has diagnosed
Jennifer with a dislocated shoulder. Which of the following statements are true concerning
shoulder dislocation?
a. Posterior dislocations are more common than anterior dislocations
b. There is a risk of neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the clinician should check for
distal pulses
c. Recurrent dislocations are uncommon and would require great force to result in injury.
d. Surgery is most commonly the treatment of choice - ANS b. There is a risk of
neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the clinician should check for distal pulses
Copyright ©2025 THEBRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
(MUSCULOSKELETAL) EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
One of the initial steps in assessing pt's w/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 - ANS b. Synovium
You have detected the presence of crepitus on exam of a pt with a musculskeletal complaint.
Additionally, there is limited ROM w/both active and passive movement. These findings suggest
that the origin of the musculoskeletal complaint is: - ANS Articular
Which of the following signs or symptoms indicate an inflammatory etiology to musculoskeletal
pain?
a. Decreased CRP
b. Hyperalbuminemia
c. Morning stiffness
d. Weight gain - ANS c. Morning stiffness
Which of the following statements concerning the musculoskeletal exam is true?
Copyright ©2025 THEBRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, 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 pain should be examined first.
c. When possible, the pt should not be asked to perform active ROM exercises to avoid causing
pain.
d. Radiographs should always be obtained prior to examination so as not to cause further injury
to the pt. - ANS a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to
the involved side.
You are performing muscle strength testing on a pt presenting w/musculoskeletal pain and find
that the pt has complete ROM w/gravity eliminated. Which numeric grade of muscle strength
would you give this pt, 1-5? - ANS 2
Mrs. Gray is a 55yo woman who presents with tightness, pain, and limited movement in her
right shoulder. She denies any h/o trauma. Her exam 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 hx is significant for type 1 diabetes mellitus and HTN.
Her social hx reveals that she is a secretary and that she is right-handed. Based on her
examination and medical hx, you suspect adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder." Which clue
in Mrs. Gray's hx supports this dx? - ANS Her h/o diabetes
Jennifer is an 18yo who comes to the ER after a fall during a soccer game. Jennifer explains that
she fell on her left side and kept her arm out straight to break her fall. She has been
experiencing severe pain and limited ROM in her left shoulder. The clinician has diagnosed
Jennifer with a dislocated shoulder. Which of the following statements are true concerning
shoulder dislocation?
a. Posterior dislocations are more common than anterior dislocations
b. There is a risk of neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the clinician should check for
distal pulses
c. Recurrent dislocations are uncommon and would require great force to result in injury.
d. Surgery is most commonly the treatment of choice - ANS b. There is a risk of
neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the clinician should check for distal pulses
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