FCE Tools & Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Isernhagen Work Systems FCE uses a 'safe maximum' weight rather than a 'physical maximum.' This distinction primarily reflects:
- Concern for injury prevention during testing over determining absolute strength limits (Correct answer)
- Legal requirements of OSHA standards
- ADA accommodation mandates
- Insurance billing requirements
Correct answer: Concern for injury prevention during testing over determining absolute strength limits
IWS FCE intentionally stops at a safe observable maximum to protect the examinee, not push to physiological failure.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of the Waddell non-organic signs assessment within an FCE context?
- To identify behavioral responses inconsistent with known organic pathology (Correct answer)
- To measure lumbar range of motion accurately
- To determine vocational aptitude
- To classify the examinee's DOT physical demand level
Correct answer: To identify behavioral responses inconsistent with known organic pathology
Waddell signs are behavioral indicators (e.g., superficial tenderness, distraction testing) that may suggest non-organic contributions to pain behavior.
Question 3: During a push/pull test, an examinee is asked to push a weighted sled. Force plate or push-pull gauge data is compared to which standard to determine job suitability?
- NIOSH pushing and pulling guidelines or employer job task analysis data (Correct answer)
- Americans with Disabilities Act physical requirements
- APTA clinical practice guidelines
- OSHA ergonomic standard for force limits
Correct answer: NIOSH pushing and pulling guidelines or employer job task analysis data
NIOSH provides population-based acceptable force limits for pushing/pulling; job-task analysis data from the employer provides the specific job demand benchmark.
Question 4: In the context of FCE tools, a 'work hardening progression sheet' is used to:
- Track a client's increasing capacity over a multi-week therapeutic work conditioning program (Correct answer)
- Document initial FCE findings for insurers
- Record sincerity of effort scores
- Measure cardiovascular response to lifting
Correct answer: Track a client's increasing capacity over a multi-week therapeutic work conditioning program
Work hardening progression sheets document incremental improvements in physical tolerances across sessions of a structured rehabilitation program.
Question 5: Which standardized balance tool is most likely incorporated into an FCE when evaluating a worker who performs tasks on uneven surfaces?
- Biodex Balance System or balance error scoring system (BESS) (Correct answer)
- Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Test
- Purdue Pegboard
- Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test
Correct answer: Biodex Balance System or balance error scoring system (BESS)
The Biodex Balance System and BESS are validated tools for quantifying postural stability relevant to occupational balance demands.
Question 6: An evaluator uses a tape measure to document fingertip-to-floor distance during forward bending. This technique measures:
- Combined lumbar and hip flexion mobility, not isolated spinal motion (Correct answer)
- Pure lumbar flexion only
- Hip abductor length
- Hamstring muscle strength
Correct answer: Combined lumbar and hip flexion mobility, not isolated spinal motion
Fingertip-to-floor distance reflects the combined contribution of lumbar flexion, hip flexion, and posterior chain flexibility, not isolated lumbar motion.
Question 7: The 'rapid exchange grip' technique used in hand dynamometry is considered a validity indicator because:
- Persons exerting maximal effort show similar scores on both dominant and non-dominant alternations, while submaximal effort shows wider disparities (Correct answer)
- It directly measures nerve conduction velocity
- Grip strength is unrelated to symptom magnification
- The technique bypasses the need for normative data
Correct answer: Persons exerting maximal effort show similar scores on both dominant and non-dominant alternations, while submaximal effort shows wider disparities
With true maximal effort, grip strength alternates consistently between hands; inconsistent disparities suggest submaximal or variable effort.
FCE Tools & Techniques 3
The Isernhagen Work Systems FCE uses a 'safe maximum' weight rather than a 'physical maximum.' This distinction primarily reflects: