PC Podiatrist Diagnosis & Treatment Methods 2

Question 1

Which imaging modality is MOST useful for evaluating a suspected stress fracture of the second metatarsal that is negative on plain radiographs?

Accepted Answer

MRI

Answer

MRI is the gold standard for early stress fracture detection, showing bone marrow edema before cortical changes appear on X-ray.

Question 2

A patient presents with a painful, thickened toenail with yellowish discoloration and subungual debris. KOH preparation confirms fungal elements. Which oral antifungal is first-line for onychomycosis?

Accepted Answer

Terbinafine

Answer

Terbinafine (Lamisil) is the first-line oral antifungal for dermatophyte onychomycosis due to its superior cure rates and shorter treatment duration.

Question 3

During assessment of a diabetic foot ulcer, which finding indicates a wound probe-to-bone test is positive and suggests osteomyelitis?

Accepted Answer

Palpation of hard, gritty tissue with a sterile blunt probe

Answer

A positive probe-to-bone test occurs when a sterile blunt metal probe inserted into the ulcer contacts hard, gritty bone, indicating osteomyelitis with high specificity.

Question 4

Which nerve block technique anesthetizes all five toes simultaneously by injecting at the level of the ankle?

Accepted Answer

Ankle block

Answer

An ankle block targets the five terminal nerves at the ankle (sural, saphenous, superficial peroneal, deep peroneal, posterior tibial), anesthetizing the entire foot.

Question 5

A runner presents with heel pain worst with the first step in the morning that improves after walking. The Windlass test is positive. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Plantar fasciitis

Answer

Plantar fasciitis classically presents with post-static dyskinesia (worst first steps), and the Windlass test reproduces pain by dorsiflexing the hallux to tension the plantar fascia.

(PC) Podiatrist Certification Practice Test

(PC) Podiatrist Certification Practice Test

PC Podiatrist Diagnosis & Treatment Methods 2