Scorebuilders Q&A

A patient presents to physical therapy with a DEXA scan result showing a T-score of -2.8 at the lumbar spine. Which classification would be MOST appropriate for this patient based on the T-score? Option 1- Normal bone density Option 2- Osteopenia Option 3- Osteoporosis Option 4- Osteomalacia Watch the video version on our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/rmcwvRmR1qA

A patient with type 2 diabetes on insulin becomes pale, shaky, and confused during a gait training session. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action for the therapist to take? Option 1- Stop the session, have the patient rest, and resume once symptoms resolve Option 2- Stop the session and provide a fast-acting carbohydrate Option 3- Stop the session immediately and call 911 Option 4- Stop th...

During an evaluation, a physical therapist performs the elbow flexion test to reproduce a patient's upper extremity symptoms. Which of the following BEST explains the mechanism behind this test?  Option 1- Compression of the ulnar nerve within the cubital tunnel  Option 2- Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the pronator teres  Option 3- Ischemic compression of the radial art...

A physical therapist performs the carpal compression test (Durkan's test) on a patient who complains of pain and paresthesia in their hand. The purpose of this test is to compress which of the following structures? Option 1- Median nerve Option 2- Radial artery Option 3- Ulnar nerve Option 4- Ulnar artery Watch the video version on our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/woiU7Fk8t2g

A physical therapist is performing Tinel's sign to assess for tarsal tunnel syndrome. Where should the therapist tap to provoke symptoms when performing this test? Option 1- Over the anterior ankle joint line between the tibia and talus Option 2- Posterior to the medial malleolus Option 3- Over the dorsum of the foot near the base of the first metatarsal Option 4- Posterior to the lateral mal...

A physical therapist performs Spurling's test on a patient with right-sided upper extremity neural symptoms. The therapist begins the test by passively placing the patient's neck in right lateral flexion and extension. Before even applying axial compression, the patient reports that their upper extremity symptoms have been reproduced. Which of the following best explains the clinical sig...

A physical therapist is examining a patient who presents with symptoms consistent with pronator syndrome. Which of the following findings would MOST likely be observed during the examination? Option 1- Weakness of the wrist extensors Option 2- Sensory loss over the dorsal aspect of the hand Option 3- Weakness of the finger flexors Option 4- Pain over the lateral elbow Watch the video version on ou...

A physical therapist is evaluating a patient with a suspected compression neuropathy of the median nerve. Which of the following findings would help confirm a diagnosis of anterior interosseous nerve syndrome over other median nerve neuropathies? Option 1- Inability to perform an "OK" sign Option 2- Sensory loss in the palm of the hand and lateral fingers Option 3- Ape hand deformity Opt...

A patient presents with weakness isolated to the intrinsic muscles of the hand, specifically the adductor pollicis and the muscles of the hypothenar eminence. The therapist notes that all forearm muscles, the wrist flexors and wrist extensors, have full strength. Which of the following is the MOST likely site of nerve entrapment? Option 1- Carpal tunnel Option 2- Radial tunnel Option 3- Cubital tu...

A patient is referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of right thoracic outlet syndrome. The physical therapist identifies that the patient's symptoms are being caused by entrapment at the costoclavicular space. Which of the following activities would MOST likely exacerbate the patient's symptoms? 1. Reaching overhead into a high cupboard 2. Carrying a heavy bag in the right arm 3....

A physical therapist performs the standing lumbar quadrant test (Kemp's test) on a patient with low back pain. The patient reports that their pain is intermittent and mostly isolated to the lumbar region, though can occasionally radiate to the buttock. During the test, the patient notes that only their lumbar pain is reproduced. Which structure is MOST directly loaded during this test? 1. Int...

A physical therapist is preparing to perform the slump test on a patient with suspected lumbar radiculopathy. When correctly performing the slump test, which movement should be completed FIRST ? 1. Cervical flexion 2. Ankle dorsiflexion 3. Trunk flexion 4. Knee extension Watch the video version on our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/wTjtrJ8daSM

A patient reports persistent burning and tingling along the medial aspects of the knee, lower leg, and ankle. The physical therapist suspects saphenous nerve involvement. Which of the following nerves would MOST closely mimic the sensory symptoms of saphenous nerve entrapment? 1. Obturator 2. Posterior tibial 3. Femoral 4. Sciatic Watch the video version on our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/ub...

A physical therapist performs Tinel's sign by tapping over the cubital tunnel. The patient reports tingling sensations consistent with a positive finding. Which region of the hand would MOST likely be affected? 1. Dorsal-lateral aspect of the hand and first web space 2. Palmar aspect of all five digits 3. Hypothenar eminence and fifth digit 4. Thenar eminence and lateral three digits Watch th...

A physical therapist performs a slump test on a patient with complaints of intermittent posterior leg pain and numbness. The patient reports increased symptoms when the neck is flexed during the test, but symptoms decrease when the neck is extended while maintaining knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion. What is the MOST accurate interpretation of this finding? 1. The symptoms are likely due to ha...

A physical therapist is evaluating a patient with low back pain radiating into the left posterior thigh and calf. A straight leg raise on the left side reproduces the patient's familiar symptoms. When the therapist performs a crossed straight leg raise on the right leg, the patient again experiences pain radiating down the left leg. What is the MOST appropriate interpretation of these finding...

A physical therapist plans to perform all four upper limb tension tests on a patient. However, they find it difficult to complete ULTT 1 (median nerve bias) and ULTT 4 (ulnar nerve bias) due to the patient's limited mobility. Which of the following joint motions is MOST likely restricted and interfering with these tests? 1. Shoulder abduction 2. Elbow extension 3. Forearm pronation 4. Wrist f...

A patient presents with hypersensitivity in the distal forearm following a recent peripheral nerve injury. The physical therapist initiates a desensitization program involving gradual exposure to various tactile stimuli. What is the primary mechanism through which desensitization training aids in reducing hypersensitivity? 1. Inhibition of nociceptor activity 2. Enhancement of neuroplasticity and...

A physical therapist is evaluating a 38-year-old patient who reports an electric shock-like sensation radiating down the spine and into both arms when flexing the neck. The therapist suspects a positive Lhermitte's sign. Which of the following conditions is MOST likely associated with this clinical finding? 1. Thoracic outlet syndrome 2. Multiple sclerosis 3. Cervical radiculopathy 4. Cervica...

A physical therapist performs Tinel's sign by gently tapping over the posterior tibial nerve at the medial malleolus, looking for reproduction of paresthesia. In a patient with tarsal tunnel syndrome, the expected tingling symptoms would MOST likely radiate to which of the following locations? 1. The dorsal web space between the first and second toes 2. The plantar surface of the foot 3. The...

A physical therapist is beginning desensitization treatment for a patient with significant tactile hypersensitivity in the palm following carpal tunnel surgery. The patient describes light touch as irritating and has started avoiding hand use. Which of the following textures would be the MOST appropriate to use when initiating treatment? 1. A soft cotton T-shirt 2. A silk scarf 3. A bath towel 4....

A physical therapist is preparing to perform all upper limb tension tests (ULTTs) on a patient with upper extremity paresthesia. The patient's medical history includes osteoarthritis of the elbow and their passive range of motion is 0 to 95 degrees. Which test would be the MOST difficult to perform given the patient's elbow mobility restriction? 1. ULTT 1 (median nerve bias) 2. ULTT 2 (m...

A physical therapist examines a 74-year-old female patient who reports aching and stiffness affecting the upper arms, lower back, and thighs. Laboratory testing reveals an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Which medical condition is MOST consistent with the described clinical presentation? 1. Duchenne muscular dystrophy 2. Hodgkin’s lymphoma 3. Systemic lupus erythematosus 4. Polymyalgia rh...

A physical therapist treats a patient with a full-thickness wound that is intentionally left open to heal. This approach was necessary due to significant tissue loss and jagged wound edges that could not be approximated? What type of healing is best described by this description? 1. Primary intention  2. Delayed primary intention  3. Secondary intention  4. Tertiary intention  Watch the video vers...

A physical therapist positions a patient in supine in preparation for goniometric measurements. When measuring lateral rotation of the shoulder, where should the stationary arm of the goniometer be aligned? 1. On the lateral midline of the humerus using the lateral epicondyle as a reference  2. Perpendicular to the floor  3. Along the midaxillary line of the thorax  4. Over the olecranon process W...