A patient is asked to complete a pain questionnaire. The patient selects words such as diffuse, throbbing, and aching to describe the pain and indicates that it is difficult to localize the pain. What structure is MOST often associated with this type of pain description? 

1.    Nerve root 
2.    Muscle 
3.    Bone 
4.    Vascular 

Transcript

Welcome back to the Scorebuilders’ Question and Answer Podcast! This podcast provides members of the Scorebuilders’ team with the opportunity to explore challenging multiple-choice examination questions with students actively preparing for the licensing examination. My name is Scott Giles and I will be your host for today’s journey.

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A patient is asked to complete a pain questionnaire. The patient selects words such as diffuse, throbbing, and aching to describe the pain and indicates that it is difficult to localize the pain. What structure is MOST often associated with this type of pain description? 

1.    Nerve root 
2.    Muscle 
3.    Bone 
4.    Vascular 

Pain Descriptors

The patient interview provides a physical therapist with an opportunity to identify specific characteristics of pain. Subjective pain descriptors can provide valuable information related to a patient’s condition. Characteristics to explore may include location, intensity, description, duration, and pattern.

Let’s explore each of the options:

Option 1 - Nerve root

Nerve root pain is often characterized as sharp, shooting, and burning. The pain tends to travel in the distribution of the specific nerve root. 

Option 2 – Muscle

Muscle pain is often characterized as cramping, dull, and aching. The pain tends to worsen when the involved muscle contracts or is lengthened.

Option 3 – Bone

Bone pain is often characterized as deep, intolerable, boring, and highly localized. 

Option 4 – Vascular

Vascular pain is often characterized as diffuse, throbbing, aching, and poorly localized. The pain is often referred to other parts of the body. Walking or other physical activity can intensify vascular pain, which is often relieved by rest. Other symptoms may include coldness, discoloration, or slow-healing wounds in the affected area. 

The correct answer is Option 4.

Let’s explore the all student data:

33% of students selected Option 1 – Nerve root
12% of students selected Option 2 - Muscle
5% of students selected Option 3 - Bone
50% of students selected Option 4 - Vascular – the correct response

System Classification
This question is an Other Systems question which represents approximately 21% of all exam items.

Content Outline Classification
This question is a Foundations for Evaluation, Differential Diagnosis, and Prognosis question which represents approximately 33% of all exam items.

Level Classification
This question is a Level 1 question since the question requires students to possess basic foundational academic knowledge. Remediation of Level 1 questions occurs through academic review of entry-level content using textbooks, review books, Basecamp, and flash cards.

Academic Focus Area
Looking to review related academic content? Check out pages 74-77 in PTEXAM: The Complete Study Guide.

Thanks for joining us on the Scorebuilders Q and A podcast!

See you next week!