NBCE Part 3 Chiro Exam Prep Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

Question 1

What is the most appropriate management for a patient with acute torticollis?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Gentle mobilization and myofascial release. Gentle mobilization, myofascial release techniques, and heat therapy are the most appropriate initial interventions for acute torticollis to reduce muscle spasm and restore normal range of motion.

Question 2

A patient with low back pain has a positive Valsalva sign. This finding most strongly suggests:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Disc pathology. A positive Valsalva sign (increased pain with bearing down) suggests increased intradiscal or intraspinal pressure, which is commonly associated with disc pathology such as herniation.

Question 3

What view is most appropriate to evaluate for atlantoaxial instability?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Open-mouth (odontoid) view. Open-mouth (odontoid) view allows visualization of the dens and lateral masses of C1, which is essential for evaluating atlantoaxial alignment and potential instability.

Question 4

A 25-year-old female presents with fatigue, multiple joint pain, and a butterfly-shaped rash on her face. Which laboratory test would be most appropriate to order?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA). Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test is the initial screening test for systemic lupus erythematosus, which commonly presents with fatigue, joint pain, and a characteristic butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose.

Question 5

Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to spinal manipulation?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Unstable vertebral fracture. Unstable vertebral fractures are an absolute contraindication to spinal manipulation due to the risk of further displacement and potential spinal cord injury.

Question 6

A patient reports pain and numbness in the lateral thigh that worsens with prolonged standing. Which condition is most likely present?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Meralgia paresthetica. Meralgia paresthetica involves compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, typically at the inguinal ligament, causing pain and numbness in the lateral thigh that worsens with prolonged standing or hip extension.

Question 7

Which finding on a CBC would most likely indicate an inflammatory process?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Elevated white blood cell count. Elevated white blood cell count is a common indicator of an inflammatory process or infection, as white blood cells are recruited to sites of inflammation.

Question 8

Which muscle is being tested when a patient is asked to resist shoulder abduction at 90 degrees?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Supraspinatus. The supraspinatus muscle is primarily responsible for the first 15-30 degrees of shoulder abduction, but it continues to contribute significantly to abduction at 90 degrees. Testing resistance at this angle is a standard method for evaluating supraspinatus function.

Question 9

A patient presents with upper extremity weakness, spasticity, hyperreflexia, and a positive Hoffman's sign. These findings are most consistent with:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Cervical myelopathy. Upper extremity weakness, spasticity, hyperreflexia, and a positive Hoffman's sign are all upper motor neuron signs that strongly suggest cervical myelopathy, which involves compression of the spinal cord in the cervical region.

Question 10

When documenting a patient's progress, which outcome assessment tool would be most appropriate for measuring functional disability in a patient with low back pain?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Oswestry Disability Index. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a validated, condition-specific outcome measure designed specifically to assess functional disability in patients with low back pain.

NBCE Part 3 Chiro Exam Prep Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

More NBCE Part 3 Chiro Exam Prep practice questions

Free practice here. Timed mocks when you are ready.