Physician Assistant History and Physical Examination 5

Question 1

A 45-year-old woman has a positive straight leg raise (SLR) test at 40°. This finding is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

L4-S1 nerve root compression (lumbar disc herniation)

Answer

A positive SLR at less than 60° (reproduction of radicular pain, not just tightness) strongly suggests L4-S1 nerve root irritation from disc herniation.

Question 2

Which history-taking mnemonic is used to characterize the quality of a patient's pain comprehensively?

Accepted Answer

OLDCARTS

Answer

OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity) is used to fully characterize pain in the HPI.

Question 3

During a cardiovascular exam, you note that a patient's JVP is elevated at 45° with hepatojugular reflux present. These findings suggest:

Accepted Answer

Right heart failure or elevated central venous pressure

Answer

Elevated JVP with a positive hepatojugular reflux (sustained rise with abdominal compression) indicates elevated right-sided filling pressures consistent with right heart failure.

Question 4

When examining the eyes, the consensual light reflex tests the integrity of which pathway?

Accepted Answer

Ipsilateral CN II, optic chiasm, and contralateral CN III

Answer

Light in one eye travels via CN II to the optic chiasm; efferent fibers cross to activate the contralateral CN III, producing the consensual pupillary response.

Question 5

A 30-year-old athlete has pain with resisted forearm supination and tenderness at the lateral epicondyle. This presentation is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

Answer

Lateral epicondylitis involves the extensor origin at the lateral epicondyle; pain with resisted wrist extension/supination and lateral tenderness are hallmarks.

Physician Assistant Practice Test

Physician Assistant Practice Test

Physician Assistant History and Physical Examination 5