National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which test is most important to confirm the diagnosis in a patient with hip pain, loss of appetite, and night sweats?

1. Squat test

2. Patrick test

3. McBurney test

4. Iliopsoas muscle test

The correct answer is: Iliopsoas muscle test

In a scenario involving hip pain, loss of appetite, and night sweats, the correct test to confirm the diagnosis is focused on determining the potential presence of an underlying serious condition such as an infection or inflammation, like septic arthritis or osteomyelitis, which can manifest with those symptoms. The iliopsoas muscle test is particularly significant because it tests the integrity of the iliopsoas group, which can be involved in various pathological conditions that lead to hip pain. If there is an infection, for instance, this can result in pain with hip flexion, and any mechanical irritation of the iliopsoas can highlight the need for further diagnostic imaging, such as an MRI or ultrasound, to visualize any abnormalities like abscesses or fluid collections. In this case, the iliopsoas muscle test directly addresses the hip joint and surrounding structures, providing relevant clinical information for the diagnosis. Other tests, such as the squat test, Patrick test, or McBurney test, may not directly assist in confirming the specific underlying issues suggested by the symptoms. The squat test generally assesses lower extremity mechanics, Patrick test (also known as FABER test) evaluates joint and muscle tightness but may not pinpoint deeper issues, and the Mc