Differential Diagnosis and Medical Screening in Physical Therapy Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• For a patient with lumbar pain, which primary systems should be reviewed?
• Which of the following is NOT a yellow flag example?
• Which factor would most clearly prompt conservative loading and safe handling in an older adult?
• What safety precautions apply to suspected cervical myelopathy before any thrust manipulation?
• Femoral pulse is located where?
• Screening in physical therapy practice primarily emphasizes
• Which describes moderate concern (orange)?
• During exercise progression, which sign would prompt immediate reassessment?
• What is the appropriate action if dehydration is suspected due to dizziness during a PT evaluation?
• NOT among the most common tumors to metastasize to bone?
• Which of the following is a risk factor for cervical arterial/vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
• Which color is described as normal for skin spots in the material?
• How can you differentiate radicular leg pain from neurogenic claudication due to spinal stenosis?
• In patients with back or neck pain, which finding is a cancer-related red flag signaling possible metastatic disease?
• Which term describes a skin lesion that is not the same on both sides?
• Which of the following is included in the '5 D's' for vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
• Which symptom is a red flag suggesting cauda equina syndrome?
• What precautions apply to patients taking anticoagulants before manual therapy or deep tissue work?
• Paget's disease affects more which sex?
• Which pattern is typical for inflammatory or autoimmune arthritis?
• Which option does NOT belong to the ABCDE framework used for skin screening?
• When imaging or referral should be considered for suspected radiculopathy with persistent symptoms?
• Which organ is located in the left upper quadrant?
• Brachial pulse is described as beating or throbbing felt in the antecubital space on the medial side of the biceps tendon. Which option is correct?
• What is the age that can be indicative for metastatic cancer pain?
• Which statement best describes Pulse Grade 4+?
• Which organ is located in the right upper quadrant?
• What is the typical age range for Ankylosing spondylitis?
• Which clinical finding is a red flag for undiagnosed vertebral fracture?
• Osteoid osteoma is more common in which sex?
• How many red flags are needed to indicate cervical myelopathy with about 91% sensitivity?
• Which color code corresponds to high concern?
• Which finding supports radiculopathy on neuro exam?
• Which statement best describes infection-control precautions when a patient has an infectious disease?
• What is the number one symptom of cervical arterial/vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI)?
• Which diameter value is considered benign in the screening material?
• Radial pulse is located where?
• Which is a constitutional symptom?
• How should you respond when cancer history raises concern during back pain screening?
• Which statement best describes the neurologic systems review?
• Which sign would most strongly suggest a pathologic mass requiring medical evaluation?
• What referred pain is the black arrow pointing to?
• Which condition commonly presents in individuals aged 40 years or older and occurs more often in women?
• Which pulse point is located at the temples of the head?
• Which statement best aligns with the description of asymmetrical spots in screening?
• What referred pain is the black arrow pointing to?
• Which condition is a known risk factor for upper cervical instability?
• Which vital signs abnormality should prompt medical clearance before continuing physical therapy?
• Which approach is appropriate for some concern (yellow)?
• Which aspect is included in the communication systems review?
• What referred pain is the black arrow pointing to?
• Which sign would be considered a GI red flag requiring referral?
• Which primary cancer is commonly metastasize to bone?
• Which symptom is a red flag in the abdomen/GI region that should prompt medical referral?
• Which finding would raise concern for meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage?
• How should cervical manipulation be approached when myelopathy cannot be ruled out?
• Which sign would prompt stroke or TIA screening in a patient presenting with dizziness?
• Which of the following statements is true regarding abdominal aortic aneurysm and pulse palpation?
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a red flag for secondary headache disorders?
• Which condition would explicitly guide conservative loading and safe handling in an older adult?
• Which is a pregnancy-related consideration when planning exercise during physical therapy?
• Which leg finding indicates deep venous thrombosis risk requiring medical referral?
• Which organs are associated with diaphragmatic irritation?
• Which sign should be asked about during a General Health Screen?
• Pulse Grade 2+ is described as:
• What is the appropriate triage action when red flags are detected during screening?
• How should dizziness with focal neurological signs be managed in physical therapy?
• For acute low back pain, imaging is indicated under which circumstance?
• Which feature would prompt immediate referral for suspected spinal fracture or fracture risk in an older adult?
• Which site of referred pain is listed for the small intestine?
• Which description best represents an abnormal border of a skin spot?
• What referred pain is the black arrow pointing to?
• Which is a risk factor for cancer recurrence?
• Which organ is located in the left lower quadrant?
• Which action is NOT recommended as part of infection-control precautions when treating a patient with an infectious disease?
• Which neck pain red flags would prompt urgent referral without delay?
• For a patient with thoracic spine pain, which primary systems should be reviewed?
• What signs suggest autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis during screening?
• Which symptom is included in general health screening?
• If a patient has mid humerus to digits pain, which primary system should be reviewed?
• Gout is more common in which sex?
• Popliteal pulse is located where?
• Which of the following is not a sign of an evolving skin spot?
• Which feature in history best suggests systemic back pain rather than mechanical?
• Which symptom is included in a general health screen?
• Is differential diagnosis an ongoing process?
• Reiter's syndrome is more common in which sex?
• If pain is always present, unchanging, or intense (7 or higher) what is recommended?
• Which pregnancy-related red flags should prompt precaution or referral before manual therapy?
• Idiopathic proximal muscle weakness is listed as a red flag item.
• Which feature would prompt urgent referral due to potential cancer in a patient with back pain?
• What shoulder or thoracic girdle signs should raise suspicion for non-MSK or systemic etiologies?
• Gallstones are more common in which sex?
• Which statement best describes Pulse Grade 3+?
• If red flags are identified during screening, which plan is appropriate?
• Pain in vertebrobasilar insufficiency is most commonly located in which region?
• What action should be taken if a patient reports new urinary retention with back pain?
• In managing a patient on polypharmacy, which step is essential to ensure safe exercise progression?
• Which statement best characterizes vasculogenic pain in the context of differential diagnosis?
• Which sign is included among the symptoms of cervical arterial/vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
• Which triad is associated with discitis/osteomyelitis as a red flag?
• Which chest pain pattern would warrant immediate triage for possible acute coronary syndrome?
• According to typical diameter guidelines, when is a skin spot considered benign?
• Which disease has the youngest typical onset age among the listed conditions?
• What are essential steps for documenting red flags identified during screening?
• What mnemonic is used to remember red flags for secondary headache disorders?
• Which signs warrant urgent referral for suspected vertebrobasilar insufficiency in a patient with dizziness?
• Which symptom pattern is characteristic of vasculogenic pain?
• Which option best describes a low concern (green) scenario?
• Which symptom commonly accompanies meningitis in patients presenting with acute severe headache?
• Which of the following listed as a site of referred pain in the material is the liver?
• Do patients with low back pain typically have at least 1 red flag?
• When you notice an abnormal skin spot during a physical skin assessment, what is the recommended action?
• In the evolving category of skin screening, which description reflects a normal lesion?
• Which of the following is associated with the colon region's referred pain?
• Which organ is located in the right lower quadrant?
• Weight change considered a constitutional symptom?
• Which neck-pain red flags should prompt urgent medical evaluation?
• Pulse Grade 0 indicates which of the following?
• Which item is included in the musculoskeletal systems review?
• Which aspect is assessed in the integumentary systems review?
• Which term describes the symmetry of pulses on both sides?
• Which color is listed as normal for skin spots?
• Which pregnancy-related finding should prompt precaution or referral before manual therapy?
• Which combination of findings would support dehydration as a cause of dizziness and warrant referral?
• Ankylosing spondylitis is more common in which sex?
• What is the typical age range for Gout?
• High concern (red) actions?
• How might diabetic autonomic neuropathy influence PT screening and safety?
• When taking a pulse, what should you be assessing?
• Which description best represents the normal border of a skin spot?
• Which scenario would prompt urgent referral for a patient with back pain and fever/weight loss?
• Which pulse is palpated in the antecubital space on the medial side of the biceps tendon?
• Which set of vital signs should be monitored for high-risk patients before and during care?
• What signs would indicate the need to rule out cervical myelopathy?
• If a patient has an inconsistent symptom pattern, which primary systems should be reviewed?
• What does symptomology describe?
• Ulnar pulse is located where?
• Which condition commonly affects men and has an age range of 40-59?
• Which of the following is a risk factor for vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
• Which finding most strongly suggests an abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture?
• Which of the following is a site of referred pain listed in the material?
• Which organ set is associated with diaphragmatic irritation?
• Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
• Pulse Grade 1+ is described as:
• Which primary system involvement is most implied by an inconsistent symptom pattern in differential diagnosis?
• Which pulse point is located on either side of the groin?
• Which combination of signs would indicate a pelvic or gynecologic emergency presenting as back or abdominal pain?
• Which finding would support biliary/hepatic referral pain presenting as shoulder pain?
• What is the typical age range for spinal stenosis?
• Which pulse is located just behind the medial malleolus of the ankle?
• Which item is assessed as part of the cardiovascular/pulmonary systems review in a physical therapy examination?
• Amplitude in pulse assessment refers to:
• Spinal stenosis affects which sex more commonly?
• Which symptom is NOT part of the '3 N's' associated with vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
• Which of the following is a yellow flag example?
• Red flag indicator for systemic illness?
• Which disease has the latest explicitly documented upper age bound (70 years)?
• In physical skin screening, what does the acronym ABCDE stand for?
• What referred pain is the black arrow pointing to?
• Which finding would raise concern for malignancy in a skin lesion?
• Which disease has typical onset between 21 and 40 years?
• Which description best matches a lesion described as evolving in a benign manner?
• Changes in DTRs are a red flag for metastatic cancer pain.
• Which color pattern is associated with melanoma?
• Which symptom is most characteristic of cauda equina syndrome?
• What is the typical age range for Reiter's syndrome?
• Which posture-provoked sign is most concerning for vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
• Which finding should prompt referral during pediatric or adolescent spine assessment due to red flags?
• Which disease has its peak incidence in the mid-20s?
• In PT practice, diagnosis refers to
• When would imaging be indicated for acute low back pain beyond the initial visit?
• Dorsalis pedis pulse is located where?
• Which symptom is commonly associated with inflammatory back pain?
• What precautions are indicated for patients on chronic corticosteroids in PT?
• Which sex is more commonly affected by multiple sclerosis?
• When should you perform a General Health Screen?
• Which disease has an age range of 15-30 and is more likely to affect men?
• Which statement about abdominal aortic aneurysm risk factors is accurate based on the material?
• Shingles risk increases after which age?
• Which sign during chest discomfort warrants immediate medical triage?
• Which sign most strongly suggests spinal infection in a patient with back pain?
• Which symptom combination most strongly suggests cauda equina syndrome requiring urgent evaluation?
• Which statement is true regarding trauma history as a risk factor for systemic disease?
• What is the typical age range for Gallstones?
• When a patient presents with cervical or shoulder pain, which primary systems should be reviewed?
• What is the typical age range for multiple sclerosis onset?
• Changes in 2 or more deep tendon reflexes is a red flag item.
• Which finding would indicate possible spinal cord compression requiring urgent referral?
• Paget's disease typical age range?
• In dizziness presenting, which sign would prompt screening for stroke/TIA?
• Which clinical scenario raises concern for spinal fracture in an older adult?
• Which red flag indicates possible cauda equina syndrome?
• Temporal pulse is located where?
• Which statement best describes systemic symptoms commonly associated with back or spine pain in PT evaluation?
• Which sign is asked during a General Health Screen?
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a red flag item in the PT exam?
• Posterior tibial pulse is located where?
• Which clinical scenario best illustrates the PT's responsibility in medical screening for systemic disease?
• Which item is included in the musculoskeletal system review?
• What is the typical age range for Osteoid osteoma?
• What is the typical age range for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
• Which of the following is a risk factor for systemic disease?
• Which condition typically presents in younger individuals aged 10-20 and predominantly affects men?
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) affects more which sex?
• Which quadrant contains the liver?
• Which of the following is a red flag for discitis/osteomyelitis?
• Which of the following is a red flag that would prompt urgent referral for cancer or infection in a patient with back pain?
• Probability of serious underlying pathology increases with increasing number of red flags.
• Which of the following is a risk factor for systemic disease?
• Which pulse is located on the top of the foot, lateral to the big toe tendon?
• How can you differentiate visceral pain from musculoskeletal shoulder pain?
• In which quadrant would you most likely palpate for the spleen?
• Which of the following best describes yellow flags in the context of pain and screening?
• Which factor increases risk for spinal infection in back pain patients?
• Which systems are always screened together?
• Which finding should trigger urgent referral for suspected pulmonary embolism in a PT setting?
• Which sex is more commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis?
• Which of the following is a red flag of metastatic cancer pain?
• Which screening tool is always used?
• What is the recommended approach to documenting vitals for high‑risk patients?
• Which condition presents in the age range 20-40 and predominantly affects men?
• Red flag indicator for systemic illness?
• Which feature differentiates inflammatory back pain from mechanical back pain requiring medical evaluation?
• How would you recognize potential aortic dissection presenting with chest or back pain?
• Which red flag indicates possible serious pathology related to nerve compression in the lower extremity?
• Which action is described as part of the screening process in physical therapy?
• What referred pain is the black arrow pointing to?
• Which sign would indicate biliary or hepatic referral pain presenting as right shoulder/scapular pain?
• Which sign would most strongly raise concern for metastatic cancer when back pain is present?
• Which of the following is a risk factor for deep venous thrombosis in a patient with reduced mobility?
• Which symptom is NOT a constitutional symptom?
• What is the recommended action when a patient reports new persistent headaches with cognitive changes?
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) typical age range?
• Which of the following is included in constitutional symptoms?
• What referred pain is the black arrow pointing to?
• Which sign is most specific to cauda equina syndrome requiring emergency referral?
• Which disease is commonly considered autoimmune inflammatory process and affects women more often?
• What is the normal color of skin spots?