PAS Spinal Alignment & Assessment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the NASM postural assessment model, which muscle is commonly identified as overactive in clients with forward head posture?
- Deep cervical flexors
- Upper trapezius (Correct answer)
- Serratus anterior
- Rhomboids
Correct answer: Upper trapezius
The upper trapezius is typically overactive and elevated in clients exhibiting forward head posture.
Question 2: A scoliotic curve measured by the Cobb angle at 25 degrees would be classified as which severity level?
- Mild
- Moderate (Correct answer)
- Severe
- Normal variation
Correct answer: Moderate
A Cobb angle between 20–40 degrees is generally classified as moderate scoliosis.
Question 3: Which postural deviation involves a forward shift of the thoracic spine relative to the pelvis, commonly seen in older adults?
- Swayback posture (Correct answer)
- Flat back posture
- Kyphosis-lordosis posture
- Military posture
Correct answer: Swayback posture
Swayback posture features a posterior shift of the pelvis and anterior shift of the thorax, common in older populations.
Question 4: During spinal assessment, a 'rib hump' visible on one side during the Adam's Forward Bend Test indicates rotation of which structure?
- Lumbar vertebrae only
- The thoracic vertebrae causing rib cage rotation (Correct answer)
- The pelvis
- The cervical vertebrae
Correct answer: The thoracic vertebrae causing rib cage rotation
In structural scoliosis, thoracic vertebral rotation causes the attached ribs to create a visible hump.
Question 5: Which ligament runs along the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies and resists excessive spinal extension?
- Posterior longitudinal ligament
- Ligamentum flavum
- Anterior longitudinal ligament (Correct answer)
- Interspinous ligament
Correct answer: Anterior longitudinal ligament
The anterior longitudinal ligament spans the front of the vertebral bodies and limits hyperextension of the spine.
Question 6: A PAS client has a lateral pelvic tilt with the right hip elevated. Which muscle on the right side is most likely overactive?
- Left quadratus lumborum
- Right quadratus lumborum (Correct answer)
- Left hip abductors
- Right hip flexors
Correct answer: Right quadratus lumborum
An elevated right hip typically indicates an overactive right quadratus lumborum hiking the pelvis upward.
Question 7: In postural assessment, 'kyphosis-lordosis' posture is characterized by which combination of findings?
- Decreased thoracic kyphosis and decreased lumbar lordosis
- Increased thoracic kyphosis and increased lumbar lordosis (Correct answer)
- Normal thoracic curve with increased cervical lordosis
- Increased thoracic kyphosis only
Correct answer: Increased thoracic kyphosis and increased lumbar lordosis
Kyphosis-lordosis posture presents with both an exaggerated thoracic kyphosis and an exaggerated lumbar lordosis.
PAS Spinal Alignment & Assessment 3
In the NASM postural assessment model, which muscle is commonly identified as overactive in clients with forward head posture?