Musculoskeletal Assessment and Examination Quizzes for Physiotherapy Students

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a common method for assessing range of motion?

Accepted Answer

Electrical stimulation

Answer

Goniometry

Answer

Observation

Answer

Palpation

Question 2

When assessing muscle strength, which scale is considered the most reliable and valid?

Accepted Answer

Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale

Answer

Borg Scale

Answer

Modified Ashworth Scale

Answer

Goniometer

Question 3

Which of the following is a key indicator of joint instability?

Accepted Answer

Laxity

Answer

Crepitus

Answer

Redness

Answer

Swelling

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of using a goniometer?

Accepted Answer

To measure joint angles

Answer

To assess muscle strength

Answer

To identify joint instability

Answer

To detect swelling

Question 5

Which assessment scale is specifically designed to evaluate muscle tone?

Accepted Answer

Modified Ashworth Scale

Answer

Muscle Strength Assessment

Answer

Range of Motion Assessment

Answer

Joint Integrity Assessment

Question 6

Select the assessment that evaluates an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks.

Accepted Answer

Timed Up and Go Test

Answer

Muscle Strength Assessment

Answer

Range of Motion Assessment

Answer

Joint Integrity Assessment

Question 7

Before conducting a musculoskeletal assessment, which safety measure is of utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Acquiring informed consent from the patient

Answer

Utilizing identical equipment for all patients

Answer

Positioning the patient comfortably, disregarding any pain they may express

Answer

Expediting the assessment process

Question 8

During a musculoskeletal assessment, why is it crucial to compare the range of motion, muscle strength, and joint integrity of the affected side to the unaffected side?

Accepted Answer

To detect subtle differences that may be missed when examining only the affected side.

Answer

To shorten the assessment time.

Answer

To confirm the patient's self-reported symptoms.

Answer

To decide if further imaging is needed.

Question 9

Which of the following is the primary purpose of range of motion (ROM) assessment?

Accepted Answer

To determine the extent to which a joint can move within its anatomical planes

Answer

To assess stability of a joint

Answer

To diagnose potential injuries

Answer

To evaluate strength of a muscle

Question 10

What is the name of the clinical test used to manually assess muscle strength?

Accepted Answer

Manual Muscle Testing (MMT)

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Goniometry

Answer

Electromyography

Question 11

Which of the following tests would be most appropriate to assess joint integrity?

Accepted Answer

Provocation testing

Answer

ROM testing

Answer

Sensory testing

Answer

MMT

Question 12

Which of the following grading scales is commonly used in MMT?

Accepted Answer

0-5

Answer

0-10

Answer

0-3

Answer

1-6

Question 13

What is the main reason for using a goniometer in ROM assessment?

Accepted Answer

To accurately measure angles of joint movement

Answer

To assess muscle strength

Answer

To identify the presence of pain

Answer

To check for signs of joint instability

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a subjective assessment in physiotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Patient's self-reported pain level

Answer

MMT score

Answer

ROM measurement

Answer

Gait analysis

Question 15

What is the purpose of performing a neurological examination as part of musculoskeletal assessment?

Accepted Answer

To rule out any underlying neurological conditions that may affect movement

Answer

To evaluate muscle strength

Answer

To assess range of motion

Question 16

When interpreting the results of a musculoskeletal examination, which of the following factors is important to consider?

Accepted Answer

Patient's age, occupation, and lifestyle

Answer

Only the objective findings

Answer

Only the results of imaging tests

Answer

Only the patient's symptoms

Question 17

To assess a patient with a suspected rotator cuff injury, which techniques would best evaluate their mobility and identify potential muscle damage?

Accepted Answer

Active and passive range of motion tests, and palpation of the rotator cuff muscles

Answer

Active range of motion tests and neurological tests

Answer

Palpation of the rotator cuff muscles and radiography

Answer

Neurological tests and radiography

Question 18

Which component is NOT included in a thorough musculoskeletal examination?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure measurement

Answer

Range of motion assessment

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Observation

Question 19

When conducting active range of motion assessment, it is crucial to:

Accepted Answer

Instruct the patient to move comfortably within their pain-free range of motion.

Answer

Use a goniometer to precisely measure the joint's angle of motion.

Answer

Enforce movement to the joint's end range, regardless of discomfort.

Question 20

Which muscle strength grading scale assigns a numerical value from 0 to 5, with 0 indicating no contraction and 5 representing normal strength?

Accepted Answer

Medical Research Council Scale

Answer

Oxford Scale

Answer

Visual Analogue Scale

Answer

Goniometer Scale

Question 21

During palpation of a joint, which of the following characteristics should be evaluated?

Accepted Answer

Crepitus, swelling, and tenderness

Answer

Circulation and sensation

Answer

Muscle tone and strength

Answer

Range of motion and flexibility

Question 22

Which of the following is a potential drawback of musculoskeletal examinations?

Accepted Answer

They can be subjective and influenced by the examiner's skill and experience.

Answer

They provide an objective and definitive assessment of all body systems.

Answer

They are not comprehensive enough to diagnose specific musculoskeletal conditions.

Question 23

When assessing a patient suspected of having a rotator cuff tear, which specific test is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Hawkins-Kennedy Test

Answer

Thomas Test

Answer

Ober Test

Answer

Lachman Test

Question 24

Which examination finding may suggest a ligament injury?

Accepted Answer

Tenderness and pain during joint stress testing

Answer

Full range of motion without pain

Answer

Crepitus and joint swelling

Answer

Increased muscle tone and strength

Question 25

When performing a neurological examination as part of a musculoskeletal assessment, it is essential to evaluate:

Accepted Answer

Sensation, reflexes, and motor function

Answer

Range of motion and flexibility

Answer

Blood pressure and heart rate

Answer

Joint stability and posture

Question 26

Which assessment method is considered the gold standard for quantifying muscle strength in a physiotherapy setting?

Accepted Answer

Manual muscle testing

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Goniometry

Answer

Percussion

Question 27

When describing the anatomical planes of movement, which plane includes flexion, extension, and hyperextension?

Accepted Answer

Sagittal

Answer

Frontal

Answer

Transverse

Answer

Oblique

Question 28

Which orthopedic special test is specifically designed to assess the integrity of the medial collateral ligament of the knee?

Accepted Answer

Valgus stress test

Answer

Patrick's test

Answer

Ober test

Answer

Lachman test

Question 29

When assessing joint integrity, what is the clinical significance of crepitus during joint movement?

Accepted Answer

Indicates articular cartilage damage

Answer

May be associated with ligamentous laxity

Answer

Does not typically indicate any underlying pathology

Answer

Suggests muscle or tendon inflammation

Question 30

When performing passive range of motion assessment, what should be the role of the patient?

Accepted Answer

Remain relaxed and allow the examiner to move the joint

Answer

Hold the joint in a fixed position

Answer

Actively assist the examiner in moving the joint

Answer

Provide resistance to the examiner's movement

Question 31

Which of the following postural deviations is characterized by an increased curvature of the thoracic spine?

Accepted Answer

Kyphosis

Answer

Scoliosis

Answer

Hyperlordosis

Answer

Lordosis

Question 32

When assessing range of motion, which condition would be an absolute contraindication to performing the assessment?

Accepted Answer

Recent surgery or fracture in the area being assessed

Answer

Patient's age

Answer

Patient's refusal to cooperate

Answer

Pain or discomfort in the area being assessed

Question 33

In a muscle strength assessment using a handheld dynamometer, what does a score of 5/5 represent?

Accepted Answer

Normal muscle strength

Answer

Severe weakness

Answer

Mild weakness

Answer

Moderate weakness

Question 34

Which of the following is the primary consideration when assessing range of motion?

Accepted Answer

Pain-free end feel

Answer

Patient's tolerance for discomfort

Answer

Velocity of movement

Answer

Age-related flexibility

Question 35

What is the primary purpose of a manual muscle test?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate muscle strength

Answer

To evaluate joint stability

Answer

To diagnose a nerve injury

Answer

To assess range of motion

Question 36

Which of the following special tests is used to specifically assess the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament?

Accepted Answer

Lachman test

Answer

Thomas test

Answer

Ober test

Answer

Patrick's test

Question 37

What is the main purpose of palpation in a musculoskeletal examination?

Accepted Answer

To assess tissue texture, temperature, and pain

Answer

To determine range of motion

Answer

To identify anatomical landmarks

Answer

To evaluate muscle strength

Question 38

Which assessment technique specifically involves measuring the circumference of a body part?

Accepted Answer

Circumferential measurement

Answer

Goniometry

Answer

Manual muscle testing

Answer

Palpation

Question 39

What is the primary use of a tuning fork in musculoskeletal assessment?

Accepted Answer

To assess vibration sense

Answer

To assess hearing acuity

Answer

To diagnose nerve damage

Answer

To evaluate proprioception

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Oxford Hip Score?

Accepted Answer

Spinal mobility

Answer

Distance walked in 6 minutes

Answer

Pain

Answer

Ability to put on socks and shoes

Question 41

Which muscle is primarily responsible for dorsiflexing the foot at the ankle joint?

Accepted Answer

Tibialis anterior

Answer

Peroneus longus

Answer

Soleus

Answer

Gastrocnemius

Question 42

A patient presents with a positive Ober's test. This indicates:

Accepted Answer

Tightness in the iliotibial band

Answer

Weak hip abductor muscles

Answer

Hip joint effusion

Question 43

Which of the following is a common symptom of a rotator cuff tear?

Accepted Answer

Pain and weakness when lifting the arm overhead

Answer

Swelling and bruising around the shoulder

Answer

Numbness and tingling in the fingers

Question 44

When performing a lumbar spine examination, which of the following should be assessed?

Accepted Answer

Range of motion, muscle strength, and neurological function

Answer

Pulses in the lower extremities

Answer

Balance and coordination

Answer

Hip mobility

Question 45

Which of the following is a purpose of functional capacity evaluation?

Accepted Answer

To determine an individual's ability to perform daily activities safely and efficiently

Answer

To measure muscle strength

Answer

To diagnose musculoskeletal conditions

Question 46

When assessing gait, the examiner should observe:

Accepted Answer

Step length, cadence, and posture

Answer

Muscle tone

Answer

Skin integrity

Answer

Joint ROM

Question 47

To accurately measure shoulder abduction range of motion using a goniometer, where should the stationary arm, moving arm, and axis be placed?

Accepted Answer

Stationary arm on the trunk, moving arm along the humerus, axis over the acromion process.

Answer

Stationary arm on the trunk, moving arm along the scapula, axis over the glenohumeral joint.

Answer

Stationary arm on the scapula, moving arm along the humerus, axis over the acromion process.

Answer

Stationary arm along the humerus, moving arm on the trunk, axis over the acromion process.

Question 48

A patient can complete a full range of motion against gravity with minimal resistance. What is the manual muscle testing grade for this level of strength?

Accepted Answer

Grade 4

Answer

Grade 2

Answer

Grade 5

Answer

Grade 3

Question 49

Which of these is NOT a common sign of ligamentous instability in the knee?

Accepted Answer

Increased muscle bulk

Answer

Pain with joint movement

Answer

Joint laxity

Answer

Swelling and effusion

Question 50

What postural deviation is characterized by an increased cervical lordosis?

Accepted Answer

Forward head posture

Answer

Swayback posture

Answer

Flat back posture

Answer

Kyphosis

Question 51

A patient complains of pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle. Which of the following movements would likely worsen their symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Wrist extension and finger extension

Answer

Shoulder abduction

Answer

Elbow flexion

Answer

Wrist flexion and finger flexion

Question 52

The Lachman test is used to assess the integrity of which knee ligament?

Accepted Answer

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

Answer

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)

Answer

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

Answer

Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)

Question 53

Which of the following is a contraindication for performing passive range of motion exercises?

Accepted Answer

Active inflammation in the joint

Answer

Limited range of motion

Answer

Muscle weakness

Answer

Joint stiffness

Question 54

When documenting a patient's assessment findings, what is the MOST important aspect to include?

Accepted Answer

Objective measurements and observations

Answer

Patient's medical history

Answer

Proposed physiotherapy interventions

Answer

Patient's subjective report of pain

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT a principle of effective communication during a musculoskeletal assessment?

Accepted Answer

Using technical jargon to explain findings

Answer

Active listening to the patient's concerns

Answer

Establishing rapport with the patient

Answer

Explaining procedures clearly