NATA-BOC Lower Extremity Injury Assessment Questions and Answers

Question 1

An athletic trainer performs the Thompson test on an athlete who felt a sudden 'pop' in their lower leg while sprinting. A positive test is indicated by which of the following findings?

Accepted Answer

Absence of plantar flexion when the calf is squeezed.

Answer

Inability to actively dorsiflex the foot.

Answer

A palpable defect in the gastrocnemius muscle.

Answer

Pain with passive stretching of the Achilles tendon.

Question 2

A soccer player presents with knee pain and instability after a non-contact pivoting injury. The athletic trainer performs a Lachman test. Which of the following best describes the proper procedure and a positive sign for this test?

Accepted Answer

Knee flexed to 20-30 degrees, anterior translation of the tibia with a soft or mushy endpoint.

Answer

Knee flexed to 90 degrees, anterior translation of the tibia with a firm endpoint.

Answer

Knee fully extended, posterior translation of the tibia with a distinct clunk.

Answer

Knee flexed to 70 degrees, valgus force applied with tibial external rotation.

Question 3

When performing the McMurray test to assess for a meniscal tear, what combination of movements specifically stresses the medial meniscus?

Accepted Answer

Tibial external rotation with a valgus stress as the knee is extended.

Answer

Tibial internal rotation with a valgus stress as the knee is extended.

Answer

Tibial external rotation with a varus stress as the knee is extended.

Answer

Tibial internal rotation with a varus stress as the knee is extended.

Question 4

A basketball player lands awkwardly and complains of immediate, severe ankle pain. They are unable to bear weight. According to the Ottawa Ankle Rules, which of the following findings would NOT, by itself, warrant a referral for radiographic imaging?

Accepted Answer

Significant swelling and discoloration around the entire ankle joint.

Answer

Point tenderness over the posterior edge of the medial malleolus.

Answer

Inability to walk four steps both immediately after the injury and in the clinic.

Answer

Point tenderness at the base of the fifth metatarsal.

Question 5

An athletic trainer is performing an anterior drawer test of the ankle. To specifically isolate and test the integrity of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the foot should be positioned in:

Accepted Answer

Slight plantar flexion and inversion.

Answer

Maximal dorsiflexion and inversion.

Answer

Neutral (90 degrees) and eversion.

Answer

Maximal plantar flexion and eversion.

Question 6

Which of the following describes a positive Trendelenburg test, indicating weakness of the gluteus medius muscle?

Accepted Answer

The pelvis on the non-stance leg drops when the patient stands on the affected leg.

Answer

The pelvis on the non-stance leg rises when the patient stands on the affected leg.

Answer

The patient is unable to bridge off the table using the affected leg.

Answer

The patient demonstrates an anterior pelvic tilt while in a unilateral stance.