FCE Assessment & Evaluation Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a Functional Capacity Evaluation, which principle guides the evaluator when interpreting sub-maximal effort on grip strength testing?
- Coefficient of variation exceeding 15% indicates inconsistent effort (Correct answer)
- A bell-shaped curve across five handle positions always confirms maximal effort
- Dominant hand grip must exceed non-dominant by at least 30%
- Only the highest single trial value should be recorded
Correct answer: Coefficient of variation exceeding 15% indicates inconsistent effort
A coefficient of variation (CV) greater than 15% across repeated grip trials typically indicates inconsistent or sub-maximal effort.
Question 2: Which standardized protocol uses a series of progressively weighted lifts from floor to knuckle, knuckle to waist, and waist to shoulder levels?
- EPIC Lift Capacity Test
- Isernhagen Work Systems FCE (Correct answer)
- NIOSH Lifting Equation
- WorkWell Systems Protocol
Correct answer: Isernhagen Work Systems FCE
The Isernhagen Work Systems FCE evaluates lifting capacity across three height levels using progressive loading.
Question 3: When assessing a client's positional tolerance for standing, what is the minimum observation time typically required before documenting a time-based limitation?
- 1 minute
- 5 minutes
- At least the time required by the job demand or until symptom onset (Correct answer)
- 30 minutes regardless of job demands
Correct answer: At least the time required by the job demand or until symptom onset
Positional tolerances should be assessed against the actual job demand duration or until the evaluee demonstrates symptom onset or compensatory movement.
Question 4: An FCE evaluator observes that a client's self-reported pain scores remain at 9/10 throughout all tasks while objective performance remains high. This most likely suggests:
- Severe pathology requiring immediate referral
- Possible symptom magnification requiring documentation (Correct answer)
- The FCE should be terminated immediately
- Pain scores should be disregarded entirely
Correct answer: Possible symptom magnification requiring documentation
A persistent maximal pain report combined with high functional performance may indicate symptom magnification and should be documented objectively.
Question 5: Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of including a Waddell Signs assessment within an FCE?
- To diagnose malingering definitively
- To identify non-organic behavioral responses that may influence reported symptoms (Correct answer)
- To measure spinal range of motion accurately
- To determine maximum medical improvement
Correct answer: To identify non-organic behavioral responses that may influence reported symptoms
Waddell Signs identify non-organic behavioral responses to examination; three or more positive signs suggest psychosocial factors influencing the presentation.
Question 6: In the context of FCE reporting, the term 'occasional' typically refers to a physical demand occurring what percentage of the workday?
- 1–10%
- 11–33% (Correct answer)
- 34–66%
- 67–100%
Correct answer: 11–33%
Per the U.S. Department of Labor Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 'occasional' means occurring 1–33% of the time, but most FCE frameworks use 11–33% for this category.
Question 7: When conducting a static strength test on a dynamometer, how many trials are typically performed and which value is used?
- One trial; the single result is used
- Three trials; the highest value is used
- Three trials; the average of all three is used (Correct answer)
- Five trials; the median value is used
Correct answer: Three trials; the average of all three is used
Standard dynamometry protocols use three trials and report the mean value to account for normal trial-to-trial variability.
FCE Assessment & Evaluation Techniques 2
During a Functional Capacity Evaluation, which principle guides the evaluator when interpreting sub-maximal effort on grip strength testing?