MEPS Medical Examinations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which body system is evaluated during the MEPS orthopedic examination?
- Cardiovascular system only
- Musculoskeletal system including joints and spine (Correct answer)
- Respiratory system only
- Nervous system reflexes only
Correct answer: Musculoskeletal system including joints and spine
The orthopedic exam at MEPS evaluates the musculoskeletal system, checking joints, spine, and range of motion for service-limiting conditions.
Question 2: What is the minimum acceptable uncorrected distant visual acuity for most military branches at MEPS?
- 20/20 in both eyes
- 20/400 correctable to 20/20 (Correct answer)
- 20/800 in at least one eye
- 20/100 in both eyes
Correct answer: 20/400 correctable to 20/20
Most branches accept uncorrected vision as poor as 20/400 as long as it is correctable to 20/20 with lenses.
Question 3: A recruit at MEPS is found to have a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg. What typically happens next?
- Immediate disqualification
- A second reading is taken after rest (Correct answer)
- Automatic referral to a cardiologist
- The recruit is sent home permanently
Correct answer: A second reading is taken after rest
An elevated blood pressure reading at MEPS prompts a second measurement after a rest period before any disqualification decision is made.
Question 4: Which condition related to the skin would most likely result in a MEPS disqualification?
- Mild acne
- Eczema controlled by medication
- Extensive psoriasis requiring systemic treatment (Correct answer)
- A healed surgical scar
Correct answer: Extensive psoriasis requiring systemic treatment
Extensive psoriasis requiring systemic treatment can be disqualifying because it may interfere with duty performance and require ongoing medical support.
Question 5: During the MEPS audiometric test, a recruit cannot hear certain frequencies in one ear. What standard is applied?
- Any hearing loss in one ear is disqualifying
- Pure tone average thresholds at specific frequencies must meet branch standards (Correct answer)
- Only total deafness in both ears is disqualifying
- The test is purely informational and has no pass/fail threshold
Correct answer: Pure tone average thresholds at specific frequencies must meet branch standards
MEPS uses pure tone audiometry with defined threshold standards at key frequencies; failing these thresholds can be disqualifying depending on severity.
Question 6: What does a PULHES profile of '111111' indicate about a military applicant?
- The applicant has six disqualifying conditions
- The applicant meets the highest physical fitness standard with no limitations (Correct answer)
- The applicant requires a medical waiver for six categories
- The applicant has a deferred examination pending
Correct answer: The applicant meets the highest physical fitness standard with no limitations
A PULHES score of '111111' means the applicant has a perfect physical profile with no limitations in any of the six evaluated categories.
Question 7: Why are recruits instructed to bring a list of all medications to their MEPS medical examination?
- To receive free replacement medications from MEPS pharmacy
- So examiners can assess conditions being treated and potential serviceability issues (Correct answer)
- To prove they have health insurance coverage
- To determine which vaccines they still need
Correct answer: So examiners can assess conditions being treated and potential serviceability issues
Medication lists help MEPS physicians understand underlying conditions, evaluate treatment dependencies, and determine overall medical fitness for service.
MEPS Medical Examinations 2
Which body system is evaluated during the MEPS orthopedic examination?