FREE Physician Assistant History and Physical Examination Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 22-year-old collegiate soccer player presents with acute right knee pain after an opponent tackled her during a game, causing a valgus force and external rotation of her tibia.
She reports hearing a 'pop' and feeling immediate instability.
On physical examination, the Lachman test reveals significant anterior translation of the tibia with a soft endpoint compared to the contralateral knee.
Which ligament is most likely injured?

Accepted Answer

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Answer

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

Answer

Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

Answer

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

Question 2

A physical examination finding of weakness when shrugging the shoulders against resistance would indicate a deficit in which cranial nerve?

Accepted Answer

CN XI (Accessory)

Answer

CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)

Answer

CN X (Vagus)

Answer

CN XII (Hypoglossal)

Question 3

A 19-year-old male presents with a 24-hour history of periumbilical pain that has now localized to the right lower quadrant. He reports anorexia and nausea. On examination, he has a low-grade fever and tenderness to palpation at McBurney's point. When the examiner palpates deeply in the left lower quadrant, the patient experiences sharp pain in the right lower quadrant. What is the name of this physical exam sign?

Accepted Answer

Rovsing's sign

Answer

Murphy's sign

Answer

Psoas sign

Answer

Obturator sign

Question 4

Which of the following fundoscopic examination findings is the hallmark of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, distinguishing it from the non-proliferative stage?

Accepted Answer

Neovascularization

Answer

Cotton-wool spots

Answer

Hard exudates

Answer

Microaneurysms

Question 5

A 35-year-old female presents with a 3-month history of weight loss despite an increased appetite, heat intolerance, anxiety, and palpitations. On examination, she is tachycardic, her skin is warm and moist, and a fine tremor is noted in her outstretched hands. Based on this history and physical examination, which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Cushing's syndrome

Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Addison's disease

Question 6

On a skin examination, a 0.5 cm, circumscribed, elevated lesion containing serous fluid is identified. How should this primary skin lesion be documented?

Accepted Answer

Vesicle

Answer

Papule

Answer

Pustule

Answer

Macule