DPT Patient Evaluation & Diagnosis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When using the Cyriax approach, a capsular pattern at the glenohumeral joint presents as greatest restriction in:
- Flexion > abduction > external rotation
- External rotation > abduction > internal rotation (Correct answer)
- Abduction > flexion > internal rotation
- Internal rotation > external rotation > flexion
Correct answer: External rotation > abduction > internal rotation
The glenohumeral capsular pattern per Cyriax is external rotation most limited, followed by abduction, then internal rotation.
Question 2: A PT notices that a patient's involved lower extremity lacks 10° of full knee extension during the stance phase of gait. Which compensation would MOST likely be observed?
- Contralateral trunk lean
- Ipsilateral hip hiking
- Increased ipsilateral plantarflexion to compensate
- Contralateral vaulting (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Contralateral vaulting
Contralateral vaulting (rising on tiptoe on the uninvolved side) compensates for the effective limb-length increase caused by a fixed knee flexion contracture.
Question 3: Which dermatome level is tested by assessing sensation on the dorsum of the foot between the first and second toes?
- L3
- L4
- L5 (Correct answer)
- S1
Correct answer: L5
The L5 dermatome covers the dorsum of the foot and the area between the first and second toes.
Question 4: A 55-year-old female presents with bilateral hand pain and swelling that is worse in the morning for more than 60 minutes. The MOST likely diagnosis is:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis (Correct answer)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis
Correct answer: Rheumatoid arthritis
Prolonged morning stiffness exceeding 30–60 minutes, bilateral involvement, and synovial swelling are hallmark features of rheumatoid arthritis.
Question 5: The Functional Reach Test measures a patient's maximum forward reach distance while standing. A score below what value in older adults indicates high fall risk?
- 15 cm (6 inches)
- 25.4 cm (10 inches) (Correct answer)
- 30 cm (12 inches)
- 38 cm (15 inches)
Correct answer: 25.4 cm (10 inches)
A functional reach of less than 25.4 cm (10 inches) in older adults is associated with a significantly increased fall risk.
Question 6: On examination, a patient has a positive Trendelenburg sign on the right. This indicates weakness of the:
- Right hip abductors (Correct answer)
- Left hip abductors
- Right hip adductors
- Left hip extensors
Correct answer: Right hip abductors
A positive Trendelenburg sign means the pelvis drops on the contralateral (non-stance) side, revealing weakness of the stance-side (right) hip abductors.
Question 7: Which grading system for muscle strength would be assigned if a patient can complete full ROM against gravity but cannot tolerate any additional resistance?
- Grade 2
- Grade 3 (Correct answer)
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Correct answer: Grade 3
Grade 3 (Fair) on the Manual Muscle Test is defined as full ROM against gravity with no resistance.
DPT Patient Evaluation & Diagnosis 3
When using the Cyriax approach, a capsular pattern at the glenohumeral joint presents as greatest restriction in: