Physician Assistant Musculoskeletal System Disorders Flashcards
6 cards from real Physician Assistant practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Physician Assistant Musculoskeletal System Disorders flashcards as text
A 55-year-old woman presents with bilateral knee pain worse with activity and relieved by rest. X-ray shows joint space narrowing and osteophytes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is characterized by joint space narrowing, osteophytes, and pain worsened by activity, most commonly affecting weight-bearing joints.
Which laboratory finding is most characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: Positive rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies
Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies are the hallmark serologic markers of rheumatoid arthritis.
A 30-year-old male presents with acute monoarticular arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, erythema, and severe pain. Synovial fluid analysis shows negatively birefringent needle-shaped crystals. What is the treatment of choice for an acute attack?
Answer: Colchicine or NSAIDs
Colchicine and NSAIDs are first-line treatments for acute gout attacks; allopurinol is used for long-term urate-lowering therapy, not acute episodes.
Which finding on physical examination is most consistent with a complete rotator cuff tear?
Answer: Inability to initiate abduction with preserved passive range of motion
A complete rotator cuff tear results in inability to initiate active abduction while passive range of motion remains intact due to loss of musculotendinous continuity.
A patient with low back pain radiating down the posterior leg to the foot has a positive straight leg raise at 45 degrees. Which nerve root is most likely involved?
Answer: L5 or S1
A positive straight leg raise combined with posterior leg pain radiating to the foot is classic for L5 or S1 nerve root compression, typically from a herniated disc.
Which medication is classified as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and is first-line for rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: Methotrexate
Methotrexate is the anchor DMARD and first-line agent for rheumatoid arthritis, slowing disease progression and joint damage.