Physical Examination Flashcards
7 cards from real OSCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Physical Examination flashcards as text
A patient has an ulcer at the medial malleolus with surrounding lipodermatosclerosis and hemosiderin deposits. The most likely underlying cause is:
Answer: Venous insufficiency
Medial malleolus ulcers with lipodermatosclerosis and hemosiderin staining are classic features of chronic venous insufficiency.
When performing Phalen's test for carpal tunnel syndrome, the test is positive if symptoms are reproduced within:
Answer: 60 seconds
Phalen's test is considered positive if tingling or numbness in the median nerve distribution is reproduced within 60 seconds of maximal wrist flexion.
During breast examination, which finding is most suggestive of malignancy rather than a benign cyst?
Answer: Hard, irregular, non-tender, fixed lump with skin tethering
Malignant breast lumps are characteristically hard, irregular, non-tender, and fixed to surrounding structures, with possible skin tethering or nipple inversion.
When assessing peripheral arterial disease, an ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) of 0.6 indicates:
Answer: Moderate arterial disease with claudication
An ABPI of 0.5-0.8 indicates moderate peripheral arterial disease associated with intermittent claudication.
When testing the Achilles tendon reflex, which nerve roots are being assessed?
Answer: L5-S1
The Achilles (ankle jerk) reflex tests the S1-L5 nerve roots primarily via the tibial nerve, with S1 being the dominant root.
A patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has calf tenderness and swelling. Homans' sign is tested by:
Answer: Dorsiflexing the foot with the knee extended to elicit calf pain
Homans' sign involves passive dorsiflexion of the foot with the knee extended; calf pain suggests DVT, though this sign has poor sensitivity and specificity.
On examination of the hand in rheumatoid arthritis, which deformity results from rupture of the central slip of the extensor tendon?
Answer: Boutonniere deformity
Boutonniere deformity (PIP flexion with DIP hyperextension) results from rupture of the central slip of the extensor tendon allowing the lateral bands to slip volarly.
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