Clinical Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real ATC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Assessment flashcards as text
A football lineman presents with weakness of shoulder abduction, external rotation, and elbow flexion following a direct blow to the neck. Which structure is MOST likely involved?
Answer: Upper brachial plexus (Erb's point)
Upper brachial plexus injuries (C5–C6, Erb's point) present with weakness of shoulder abduction/external rotation and elbow flexion, the 'waiter's tip' posture.
Which postural deviation is characterized by excessive anterior pelvic tilt, increased lumbar lordosis, and hip flexor tightness?
Answer: Lower crossed syndrome
Lower crossed syndrome (Janda) involves tight hip flexors and lumbar extensors paired with inhibited deep abdominals and gluteals, resulting in anterior pelvic tilt.
An athlete with a suspected femoral neck stress fracture is assessed using the fulcrum test. A positive finding is:
Answer: Apprehension or pain when a fulcrum force is applied to the mid-femur
The fulcrum test applies a bending force across the femoral shaft; pain or apprehension localizing to the femoral neck region suggests a stress fracture.
Which assessment finding would MOST concern an athletic trainer evaluating an athlete with low back pain, suggesting possible cauda equina syndrome requiring immediate referral?
Answer: Bilateral saddle anesthesia and loss of bowel/bladder control
Cauda equina syndrome is a surgical emergency characterized by bilateral saddle anesthesia and bowel/bladder dysfunction due to compression of the cauda equina nerve roots.
During an exertional heat illness evaluation, which finding distinguishes exertional heat stroke from heat exhaustion?
Answer: Core temperature above 40°C (104°F) with CNS dysfunction
Exertional heat stroke is defined by a rectal temperature >40°C combined with central nervous system dysfunction (confusion, altered consciousness), distinguishing it from heat exhaustion.
The Phalen test is used to assess for which condition?
Answer: Carpal tunnel syndrome
The Phalen test (wrist held in maximum flexion for 60 seconds) increases carpal tunnel pressure and reproduces symptoms (numbness, tingling in median nerve distribution) in carpal tunnel syndrome.
A positive Noble compression test is diagnostic for:
Answer: Iliotibial band syndrome
The Noble compression test applies direct pressure over the lateral femoral epicondyle at approximately 30° of knee flexion, reproducing pain in iliotibial band syndrome.