Clinical Knowledge and Theory Flashcards
7 cards from real PCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Knowledge and Theory flashcards as text
A patient recovering from a tibial shaft fracture develops compartment syndrome. Which finding is the EARLIEST clinical indicator?
Answer: Pain out of proportion to the injury
Pain disproportionate to the injury—especially pain with passive stretch of muscles in the compartment—is the earliest and most sensitive sign of acute compartment syndrome.
The Ottawa Ankle Rules help determine whether radiography is needed. An X-ray is required if there is bone tenderness at the:
Answer: Posterior edge or tip of the lateral or medial malleolus
The Ottawa Ankle Rules specify tenderness at the posterior 6 cm or tip of either malleolus as an indication for ankle radiograph.
Which cardiac condition is considered an absolute contraindication to aerobic exercise testing?
Answer: Recent myocardial infarction within 2 days
Acute myocardial infarction within the preceding 2 days is an absolute contraindication to exercise testing per ACSM guidelines.
In the context of nerve conduction studies, a reduced amplitude with normal conduction velocity most likely indicates:
Answer: Axonal loss
Axonal loss reduces the number of conducting axons, decreasing amplitude, while demyelination primarily slows conduction velocity.
Which specific test assesses the integrity of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)?
Answer: Posterior drawer test
The posterior drawer test applies a posterior force to the proximal tibia at 90° flexion; excessive posterior translation indicates PCL laxity.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type I differs from Type II in that Type I:
Answer: Occurs without a definable nerve lesion
CRPS Type I (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) occurs without a confirmed peripheral nerve injury, whereas Type II (causalgia) follows a documented nerve lesion.
The stretch reflex arc is mediated primarily by which afferent fiber type?
Answer: Type Ia (Aα)
Type Ia afferents from muscle spindle primary endings detect muscle stretch velocity and initiate the monosynaptic stretch reflex.