dermatomes myotomes and spinal cord levels.

A 45-year-old woman with Type 2 diabetes follows a strict exercise and meal plan. She tells her therapist, "I’ve really worked hard to keep my sugar under control — I know my discipline is why I’ve stayed out of the hospital."
What type of health locus of control does this patient demonstrate?

Internal locus of control

A 70-year-old stroke survivor states, "I’m only alive because my doctor knew exactly what to do. I trust him to keep me going."
Which best describes his health locus of control?

External locus of control

After surviving a heart attack, a patient says, "I was just lucky. It wasn’t my time yet. Nothing I did would’ve changed the outcome."
What health belief does this reflect?

Chance

A physical therapist asks a patient with chronic back pain how they’ve been managing their condition. The patient replies,

“I follow the stretches you gave me, but honestly, I think my recovery depends on whether God wants me to heal.”
What type of health locus of control does this most reflect?

Both external and chance

A young athlete recovering from ACL surgery says,

“If I hadn't worked so hard in physical therapy and pushed myself every day, I’d still be limping.”
Which health locus of control is most dominant?

Internal locus of control

A physical therapist prepares to lift a moderately heavy box from the floor. Which of the following best reflects proper lifting technique?

Keep the object close to the body and lift with the legs

During a patient transfer from wheelchair to bed, which of the following body mechanics principles is MOST important?

Maintain a wide base of support and neutral spine

A therapist assisting a heavy patient in standing reports back pain. Which error most likely contributed?

Twisting the trunk during the transfer

What position of the therapist’s center of gravity promotes the most efficient lifting?

Directly over and within the base of support

Which position is usually safe and recommended for pregnant women to reduce pressure on major blood vessels?

Left side-lying

_____ a chronic, autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A 55-year-old woman presents with joint pain in both hands and wrists. She reports morning stiffness that lasts over an hour and swelling in her finger joints. On examination, the joints are warm and tender bilaterally. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Rheumatoid arthritis

A 25-year-old woman presents with fatigue, joint pain, and a red rash across her cheeks and nose. Laboratory tests show the presence of ANA (antinuclear antibodies) and mild proteinuria. Which of the following systems is least likely to be affected by this condition?

Articular cartilage only

A 60-year-old patient with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis presents with pain, swelling, and visible finger deformities. Which of the following deformities is most commonly associated with RA?

Swan-neck deformity

A patient with rheumatoid arthritis presents with hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints and flexion of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints in several fingers. What condition does this describe?

Swan-neck deformity

A basketball player presents with a finger that cannot actively extend at the DIP joint after jamming it on the ball. Passive extension is possible. What is the most likely diagnosis?

mallet finger

A patient reports painful catching and locking when flexing the ring finger. Sometimes they need to use their other hand to “pop” the finger into extension. Palpation reveals tenderness over the flexor tendon sheath. What is the diagnosis?

Trigger finger

Which of the following is true regarding the use of small electrodes in electrical stimulation?

They increase current density and may cause discomfort

A patient with finger trauma shows flexion at the PIP joint and hyperextension at the DIP joint. What is this deformity called?

Boutonnière deformity

Which of the following statements is true about Interferential Current (IFC) electrode placement?

Four electrodes are used in a criss-cross pattern over the target area

What is the main difference between Premodulated current and IFC in terms of electrode setup?

Premod uses 2 electrodes with interference occurring in the machine

Which of the following electrical stimulation modalities is used primarily for pain management only, and not for edema reduction?

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Which of the following modalities can be used to treat both acute and chronic edema as well as pain?

Interferential and Premodulated current

A physical therapist applies two electrodes over a patient’s quadriceps muscle and instructs them to perform a quad set contraction during the stimulation cycle. The protocol includes a 10-second "on" time and a 50-second "off" time. Which form of electrical stimulation is being used?

Russian Stimulation

This type of e-stem uses direct current to help deliver medication into a wound

Iontophoresis

A patient reports numbness over the lateral shoulder (deltoid area). Which dermatome is most likely affected?

c5

A patient presents with tingling and burning sensation along the lateral forearm and thumb. Which spinal nerve root is likely involved?

c6

During a sensory screen, you note that the patient cannot feel pinprick on the tip of the middle finger. Which dermatome is impaired?

c7

A patient complains of numbness and tingling across the back of their head and upper neck. Which dermatome is affected?

c2

Sensory loss is noted over the medial upper arm near the elbow. Which dermatome is most consistent with this area?

t1

Numbness is noted across the ring and pinky fingers and the medial side of the forearm. What dermatome is most likely involved?

c8

A patient has altered sensation over the trapezius area and the top of the shoulder. Which dermatome is most likely involved?

c4

You suspect C3 nerve root compression. Where should you test sensation?

Neck and upper trapezius region

A patient has weakness with knee extension and numbness on the medial knee. Which nerve root is likely affected?

L3

A therapist notes decreased sensation over the top of the foot and difficulty extending the big toe. Which spinal nerve is likely involved?

L5

A patient presents with pain and numbness on the lateral aspect of the foot, along with difficulty in plantarflexion. What nerve root is most likely affected?

S1

A patient reports numbness in the groin and upper inner thigh with mild difficulty flexing at the hip. Which nerve root is most consistent with these findings?

L1

A runner presents with weakness in knee flexion and sensory loss in the posterior thigh. Which nerve root is most likely affected?

S2

Which of the following dermatomes includes the saddle area (genitals, perianal region)?

S3-S5

A patient has difficulty dorsiflexing the ankle and numbness on the medial shin. What is the most likely nerve root involved?

L4

A spinal cord lesion causes loss of bowel and bladder control. Which spinal levels are most likely involved?

S3–S5

A patient with a spinal cord injury retains light touch and pinprick sensation at the nipple line, but has impaired sensation below that level. What is the most likely intact spinal level?

T4

During a sensory exam, a patient demonstrates normal sensation at the level of the umbilicus, but decreased sensation below it. Which dermatome is most likely intact?

T10

A patient struggles to perform shoulder abduction. Which myotome is most likely affected?

c5

Weakness in cervical side bending would suggest involvement of which myotome?

c2

A therapist notes weak wrist extension during MMT. What spinal level is most likely involved?

C6

Elbow extension and wrist flexion are primarily associated with which spinal level?

C7

A patient is unable to elevate their shoulders against resistance. Which myotome is most responsible?

C4

Finger abduction is primarily controlled by which spinal root?

T1

A lesion to this myotome might impair thumb extension and ulnar deviation.

C8

Cervical flexion is mainly associated with which levels?

C1–C2

Weakness in hip flexion is most likely related to which myotome?

L1

A patient has trouble clearing their toes during swing phase due to weak dorsiflexion. What spinal level is most involved?

L4

Manual muscle testing shows decreased strength in knee extension. Which myotome is affected?

L3

Your patient can’t extend their great toe against resistance. Which spinal nerve root is responsible?

L5

Which myotome primarily controls ankle dorsiflexion?

L4

A patient has difficulty pushing off the ground during gait (toe-off phase). Which spinal level is most likely involved?

S1

Weakness in knee flexion would most likely be caused by damage to which myotome?

S2

A patient presents with urinary incontinence following a spinal cord injury. Which spinal levels are most likely affected?

S3-S5

Which myotome level is most responsible for voluntary control of the anal sphincter?

S4–S5

A patient presents with numbness along the lateral border of the foot and heel. Which nerve is most likely affected?

Sural

This type of spinal cord injury occurs from a gunshot wound or stab wound

Brown-Sequard Syndrome

A patient sustained a stab wound to the right side of the thoracic spinal cord. Upon examination, the therapist notes paralysis and loss of proprioception on the right leg, and loss of pain and temperature on the left leg.

Which condition does this most likely indicate?

Brown-Séquard syndrome

A patient presents with:

• Motor weakness and loss of vibration sense in the left leg

• Loss of pain and temperature sensation in the right leg

Which of the following best explains the side of spinal cord injury?

Left-sided Brown-Séquard lesion