623 Adult - Low Back Pain - NP Certification, Fitzgerald 4th ed

d. 90%

approximately what percent of pts experiencing low back pain will have the sxs resolve within 1 month without specific tx? a. 33% b. 57% c. 78% d. 90%

d. soft tissue abnormality

common causes of sciatica include all of the following except: a. herniated disk b. spinal stenosis c. compression fx d. soft tissue abnormality

a. loss of deep tendon reflexes

early neurological changes in pts with lumbar radiculopathy include: a. loss of deep tendon reflexes b. poor two-point discrimination c. reduced muscle strength d. footdrop

d. C6 to C7

the most common site for cervical radiculopathy is: a. C3 to C4 b. C4 to C5 c. C5 to C6 d. C6 to C7

c. L4 to L5 and L5 to S1

the most common site for lumbar disk herniation are: a. L1 to Ls and L2 to L3 b. L2 to L3 and L4 to L5 c. L4 to L5 and L5 to S1 d. L5 to S1 and S1 to S2

c. L5 and S1

with the straight-leg-raising test, the NP is evaluating tension on which of the following nerve roots? a. L1 and L2 b. L3 and L4 c. L5 and S1 d. S2 and S3

b. stiffness, spasm, and reduced ROM

a pt with a lumbosacral strain will typically report: a. numbness in the extremities b. stiffness, spasm, and reduced ROM c. "electric" sensation running down one or both legs d. pain at its worst when in sitting position

c. shooting pain that starts at the hip and radiates to the foot

a pt with sciatica will typically report: a. loss of bladder control b. stiffness, spasm, and reduced ROM c. shooting pain that starts at the hip and radiates to the foot d. pain at its worst when lying down

d. presence of moderate pain lasting at least two weeks

immediate diagnostic imaging for low back pain should be reserved for all of the following except: a. presence of signs of the cauda equina syndrome b. presence of severe neurologic deficits c. presence of risk factors for cancer d. presence of moderate pain lasting at least two weeks

c. L5 to S1

loss of Achilles tendon reflex most likely indicates a lesion at: a. L1 to L2 b. L3 to L4 c. L5 to S1 d. S2 to S3

c. L5

loss of posterior tibial reflex often indicates a lesion at: a. L3 b. L4 c. L5 d. S1

c. muscle or ligamentous strain

most episodes of low back pain are caused by: a. an acute precipitating event b. disk herniation c. muscle or ligamentous strain d. nerve impingement

b. age < 50 years

risk factors for lumbar radiculopathy include all of the following except: a. male gender b. age < 50 years c. overweight d. cigarette smoking

b. carpal tunnel syndrome

risk factors for the development of low back pain include all of the following except: a. older age b. carpal tunnel syndrome c. scoliosis d. spinal stenosis

c. MRI

which of the following tests yields the greatest amt of clinical info in a pt with acute lumbar radiculopathy? a. lumbosacral radiograph series b. ESR measurement c. MRI d. bone scan

a. Spurling

which test is demonstrated when the examiner applies pressure to the top of the head with the neck bending forward, producing pain or numbness inthe upper extremities? a. Spurling b. McMurray c. Lachman d. Newman

d. bed rest for at least 5 days

you see a 37 y/o man c/o low back pain consisting of stiffness and spasms but without any sign of neurologic involvement. you recommend all of the following interventions except: a. application of cold packs for 20 mins 3-4 x a day b. use of NSAIDs or acetaminophen for pain control c. initiation of aerobic and toning exercises d. bed rest for at least 5 days

a. cauda equina syndrome

you see a 48 y/o woman who reports low back pain. during the eval, she mentions new-onset loss of bowel and bladder control. this most likely indicates: a. cauda equina syndrome b. muscular spasm c. vertebral fx d. sciatic nerve entrapment

b. back-strengthening exercises can cause mild muscle soreness

you see a 54 y/o man c/o low back pain and is dx with acute lumbosacral strain. which of the following is the best advice to give about exercising? a. you should not exercise until you are free of pain b. back-strengthening exercises can cause mild muscle soreness c. electric-like pain in response to exercise is to be expected d. conditioning exercises should be started immediately