OSCE OSCE Physical Examination Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During an OSCE physical exam, you assess for tactile fremitus. Which finding indicates consolidation of the lung tissue?
- Increased fremitus over the affected area (Correct answer)
- Decreased fremitus over the affected area
- Absent fremitus bilaterally
- No change in fremitus
Correct answer: Increased fremitus over the affected area
Consolidation transmits vibrations more efficiently than air-filled lung, resulting in increased tactile fremitus over the affected area.
Question 2: In an OSCE exam station, you assess for ascites using the shifting dullness technique. What does a positive test indicate?
- Free fluid in the peritoneal cavity (Correct answer)
- Gaseous distension of the bowel
- Hepatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
Correct answer: Free fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Shifting dullness — where percussion dullness moves with patient position — confirms the presence of free fluid in the abdomen.
Question 3: An OSCE candidate performs the straight leg raise (SLR) test. At what angle of pain reproduction is this test considered positive for lumbar nerve root irritation?
- Pain reproduced between 30 and 70 degrees of hip flexion (Correct answer)
- Pain only at 90 degrees of hip flexion
- Pain reproduced above 90 degrees
- No specific angle is diagnostic
Correct answer: Pain reproduced between 30 and 70 degrees of hip flexion
The SLR test is considered positive when sciatic-distribution pain is reproduced between 30–70 degrees of hip flexion, indicating L4–S1 nerve root irritation.
Question 4: During an OSCE cardiovascular exam, you identify a midsystolic click followed by a late systolic murmur. Which valvular condition does this suggest?
- Mitral valve prolapse (Correct answer)
- Aortic stenosis
- Mitral stenosis
- Tricuspid regurgitation
Correct answer: Mitral valve prolapse
A midsystolic click followed by a late systolic murmur is the hallmark auscultatory finding of mitral valve prolapse.
Question 5: In an OSCE eye exam station, you use the cover-uncover test. What does this test assess?
- Ocular alignment and presence of strabismus (Correct answer)
- Visual acuity at distance
- Intraocular pressure
- Color vision
Correct answer: Ocular alignment and presence of strabismus
The cover-uncover test detects manifest or latent strabismus by observing eye movement when one eye is covered and uncovered.
Question 6: During an OSCE musculoskeletal exam, you perform the McMurray test. Which structure are you specifically assessing?
- Menisci of the knee (Correct answer)
- Anterior cruciate ligament
- Posterior cruciate ligament
- Medial collateral ligament
Correct answer: Menisci of the knee
The McMurray test assesses meniscal integrity by applying rotational stress to the knee with varying degrees of flexion.
OSCE OSCE Physical Examination Techniques 2
During an OSCE physical exam, you assess for tactile fremitus.
Which finding indicates consolidation of the lung tissue?