COMLEX-USA Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OMT technique is most appropriate for a patient with rib dysfunction causing inhalation restriction (inhalation rib)?
- Treat during exhalation phase (Correct answer)
- Treat during inhalation phase
- HVLA in neutral position
- Counterstrain only
Correct answer: Treat during exhalation phase
An inhalation rib is stuck in inhalation, so treatment force is applied during the exhalation phase to move it further into exhalation.
Question 2: Facilitated positional release (FPR) combines a position of ease with which additional element to enhance tissue relaxation?
- Muscle contraction
- Compressive or torsional activating force (Correct answer)
- Respiratory cooperation
- Heat application
Correct answer: Compressive or torsional activating force
FPR adds a compressive or torsional activating force to the position of ease to facilitate rapid soft-tissue release.
Question 3: What is the primary goal of lymphatic pump techniques in OMT?
- Increase arterial blood pressure
- Enhance lymphatic flow and immune function (Correct answer)
- Reduce cerebrospinal fluid pressure
- Stretch thoracic fascia
Correct answer: Enhance lymphatic flow and immune function
Lymphatic pump techniques (thoracic, pedal, abdominal) augment lymphatic circulation to reduce edema and support immune function.
Question 4: In the TART mnemonic for identifying somatic dysfunction, what does the 'A' represent?
- Asymmetry (Correct answer)
- Atrophy
- Autonomic changes
- Articular restriction
Correct answer: Asymmetry
TART stands for Tissue texture changes, Asymmetry, Restriction of motion, and Tenderness — the four criteria for somatic dysfunction.
Question 5: Which spinal level provides sympathetic innervation to the heart?
- C3–C5
- T1–T5 (Correct answer)
- T6–T9
- T10–L2
Correct answer: T1–T5
Cardiac sympathetic fibers originate from T1–T5 preganglionic neurons and are targeted when treating cardiac somatic dysfunction.
Question 6: The Still technique in OMT is a combination of which two traditional techniques?
- Counterstrain and HVLA (Correct answer)
- Myofascial release and cranial
- Articulatory and muscle energy
- Lymphatic pump and soft tissue
Correct answer: Counterstrain and HVLA
A.T. Still's original technique combines elements of counterstrain positioning with an HVLA-type activating force through the barrier.
COMLEX-USA Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine 2
Which OMT technique is most appropriate for a patient with rib dysfunction causing inhalation restriction (inhalation rib)?