OCS OCS Pharmacology & Pain Management

Question 1

NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation primarily by inhibiting which enzyme?

Accepted Answer

Cyclooxygenase (COX)

Answer

NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis and thereby decreasing inflammation, pain, and fever.

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

Corticosteroids such as triamcinolone or methylprednisolone are injected intra-articularly to reduce synovial inflammation in conditions like knee osteoarthritis.

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

Long-term corticosteroid use suppresses osteoblast activity and increases osteoclast activity, leading to osteoporosis and significantly elevated fracture risk.

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

TENS activates large-diameter Aβ fibers that inhibit pain signal transmission from small-diameter C and Aδ fibers at the dorsal horn, consistent with gate control theory.

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

Central sensitization involves amplified, persistent pain processing in the CNS characterized by allodynia, hyperalgesia, and wind-up that is disproportionate to peripheral tissue damage.

(OCS) Orthopedic Certified Specialist Practice Test

(OCS) Orthopedic Certified Specialist Practice Test

OCS OCS Pharmacology & Pain Management