OCS OCS Pharmacology & Pain Management

Question 1

NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation primarily by inhibiting which enzyme?

Accepted Answer

Cyclooxygenase (COX)

Answer

Lipoxygenase (LOX)

Answer

Phospholipase A2

Answer

Hyaluronidase

Question 2

Which category of medication is most commonly injected into joints (intra-articular injection) to reduce inflammation in orthopedic conditions such as knee osteoarthritis?

Accepted Answer

Corticosteroids

Answer

Opioids

Answer

Muscle relaxants

Answer

Bisphosphonates

Question 3

A patient taking long-term corticosteroids presents for physical therapy; which musculoskeletal side effect should the OCS be most vigilant about?

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis and increased fracture risk

Answer

Muscle hypertrophy

Answer

Ligament laxity alone

Answer

Increased bone density

Question 4

The gate control theory of pain proposes that non-painful sensory input can inhibit pain transmission at the spinal cord level; which treatment modality most directly applies this mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Iontophoresis

Answer

Cryotherapy

Question 5

Central sensitization in chronic musculoskeletal pain is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Amplified pain processing within the central nervous system independent of peripheral input

Answer

Increased peripheral nociceptor sensitivity at the injury site

Answer

Purely psychological amplification of pain

Answer

Damage to inhibitory interneurons at the dorsal horn only

Question 6

Which assessment tool is most commonly used by OCS practitioners to screen for central sensitization features in chronic pain patients?

Accepted Answer

Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI)

Answer

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

Answer

Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

Answer

McGill Pain Questionnaire short form