NRCME Physical Examination Procedures and Forms 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When measuring visual acuity for CMV driver certification, what is the minimum acceptable distant vision standard in each eye separately and both eyes together?
- 20/30 in each eye; 20/20 together
- 20/40 in each eye and both together (Correct answer)
- 20/50 in each eye; 20/30 together
- 20/20 in each eye and both together
Correct answer: 20/40 in each eye and both together
Federal standards require at least 20/40 acuity in each eye separately and both eyes together, with or without corrective lenses.
Question 2: Which of the following findings on the cardiovascular examination would most likely lead to a 1-year rather than 2-year medical certificate?
- Blood pressure 124/82 mmHg
- Regular heart rate of 68 bpm
- History of MI with full recovery 5 years ago and current treatment (Correct answer)
- Absence of peripheral edema
Correct answer: History of MI with full recovery 5 years ago and current treatment
A history of MI with ongoing cardiovascular treatment warrants more frequent monitoring, typically supporting a 1-year certificate.
Question 3: On the MCSA-5875 form, what does the CME certify when they check 'Does Not Meet Standards'?
- The driver may operate with restrictions
- The driver is permanently barred from CMV operation
- The driver does not meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations at this time (Correct answer)
- The driver must retake the exam within 30 days
Correct answer: The driver does not meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations at this time
Checking 'Does Not Meet Standards' certifies that the driver currently fails to meet FMCSA physical qualification standards.
Question 4: During abdominal examination of a truck driver, the CME palpates a pulsatile abdominal mass. What is the correct next step?
- Document and certify for 1 year
- Issue a certificate with a restriction to daytime driving only
- Defer certification pending vascular surgery evaluation (Correct answer)
- Disqualify permanently and submit a FMCSA report
Correct answer: Defer certification pending vascular surgery evaluation
A pulsatile abdominal mass is suggestive of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and requires vascular evaluation before certification can proceed.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly describes the required field test for diabetes management in CMV drivers using insulin?
- A1C must be below 7.0% at the time of examination
- Drivers must have self-monitored blood glucose logs for the past 3 months
- Drivers must hold an FMCSA diabetes exemption and follow its monitoring protocol (Correct answer)
- Fasting blood glucose must be under 126 mg/dL on the examination day
Correct answer: Drivers must hold an FMCSA diabetes exemption and follow its monitoring protocol
Insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) drivers must hold a valid FMCSA diabetes exemption and comply with its specific monitoring and documentation requirements.
Question 6: The CME is required to retain the driver's medical examination report (Long Form) for how long?
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 3 years
FMCSA regulations require the medical examiner to retain the completed MCSA-5875 long form for a minimum of 3 years.
Question 7: A driver presents with monocular vision (loss of one eye). Under FMCSA regulations, what is the correct approach for a CME?
- Automatically disqualify under standard criteria
- Certify if the remaining eye meets 20/40 acuity and a Federal vision exemption is held (Correct answer)
- Certify for 6 months pending ophthalmology follow-up
- Issue a restricted certificate limited to daylight hours
Correct answer: Certify if the remaining eye meets 20/40 acuity and a Federal vision exemption is held
Monocular drivers do not meet standard vision criteria and must hold a valid FMCSA vision exemption; the CME then examines them under the exemption's conditions.
NRCME Physical Examination Procedures and Forms 5
When measuring visual acuity for CMV driver certification, what is the minimum acceptable distant vision standard in each eye separately and both eyes together?