Basic Skills Test 1

Front

A patient complains of pain, and you suspect it's from the piriformis muscle. Which clinical skill is MOST essential to confirm the muscle's location and texture?

Back

Palpation

Front

Why is a firm, confident initial touch often better than a very light, hesitant one during palpation?

Back

A light touch can be ticklish or alerting to the nervous system

Front

Which of these actions during an examination would MOST likely diminish a patient's trust?
- Explaining the anatomy of the area you're touching
- Asking for feedback on pressure and comfort
- Palpating a known painful area without warning
- Using a clinical chart to locate landmarks

Back

Palpating a known painful area without warning

Front

A patient with subacromial impingement will likely experience the most pain with which shoulder movement?
Options:
Holding their arm still at their side,
Reaching overhead to a high shelf,
Shrugging their shoulders,
Reaching behind their lower back

Back

Reaching overhead to a high shelf

Front

A patient diagnosed with "tennis elbow" would MOST likely report sharp pain with which activity? Gripping and lifting a full coffee mug

Back

Gripping and lifting a full coffee mug

Front

An avulsion fracture of the humerus's greater tuberosity would surgically impact the function of which muscle group? Deltoids, Rotator cuff, Pectorals, Biceps

Back

Rotator cuff

Front

A cyclist complains of a deep, localized pain right on their "sitting bone" when they pedal hard. This is most likely an issue with the tendon origin of the:

Back

Hamstrings

Front

An elderly patient feels unsteady while standing. What is the SIMPLEST verbal cue you can give to immediately improve their stability?

Back

Widen your feet to about shoulder-width apart.

Front

Rounding your lower back when lifting a heavy box is dangerous primarily because it:

Back

Puts uneven and excessive pressure on the intervertebral discs

Front

An office worker has significant forward head posture. What is the MOST effective ergonomic change to begin correcting this?

Back

Raising their computer monitor to eye level