Deck 6: Physical Examination and Evaluation

Question 1

A driver who has been previously disqualified due to high blood pressure is examined a second time. In order to be considered for certification, the driver's blood pressure must have stabilized to which of the following?

A)Less than or equal to 140/90
B)Less than or equal to 145/100
C)Less than or equal to 150/80
D)The driver cannot be certified

Answer 1

Less than or equal to 140/90

Question 2

Federal regulations require that a driver who is taking antihistamine therapy must abstain from those medications for how long before operating a vehicle?

A)Two weeks
B)One day
C)Twelve hours
D)Six hours

Answer 2

Twelve hours

Question 3

When performing a neurological examination on a driver, the examiner could appropriately ask each of the following questions EXCEPT:

A)Do you ever have episodes of fainting or dizziness?
B)Do you have episodes of altered consciousness?
C)Do you have experience with hallucinogenic drugs?
D)Do you have a history of brain injury or illness?

Answer 3

Do you have experience with hallucinogenic drugs?

Question 4

When examining a driver's vision, which of the following should be permitted?

A)The Snellen chart should be illuminated with white light.
B)The chart should be twenty feet away from the driver.
C)The driver should wear corrective lenses, if necessary.
D)All of the above

Question 5

In the event that a driver wears corrective lenses, the medical examiner should do which of the following?

A)Recommend that the driver not be certified.
B)Recommend that the driver be re-evaluated by an optometrist.
C)Mark the "wearing corrective lenses" on both the report and the certificate.
D)Recommend a one-year waiting period.

Question 6

Which of the following is an inflammatory myopathy and may be treated?

A)Polymyositis
B)Central core disease
C)Centronuclear myopathy
D)All of the above

Question 7

If a driver has had spinal benign tumors removed and has a history of seizures, the medical examiner should do which of the following?

A)Certify with a six-month waiting period.
B)The driver cannot be certified.
C)Use the appropriate seizure guidelines.
D)None of the above

Question 8

A driver with a fixed deficit of an extremity who has been certified is required by federal regulations to do which of the following?

A)Use a prosthetic
B)Carry an SPE certificate
C)Use a co-driver
D)Have regular physical therapy

Question 9

A driver presents who has diabetes mellitus. While diabetes mellitus itself is not reason to disqualify a driver, it can lead to other conditions which can prevent certification, such as:

A)Asthma
B)Hearing loss
C)Multiple sclerosis
D)Neuropathy

Question 10

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a severe hypoglycemic reaction is one that results in which of the following?

A)Loss of consciousness
B)Seizure
C)Need of assistance from another person
D)All of the above

Question 11

A driver with diabetes mellitus who does not use insulin is eligible for certification unless:

A)The driver also has a comorbidity.
B)The driver has a history of seizures.
C)The driver wears corrective lenses.
D)The driver is obese.

Question 12

When performing a musculoskeletal exam, a medical examiner should ask which of the following questions?

A)Is there chronic low back pain?
B)Has there been an injury or disease of the spine?
C)Is there a muscular disease?
D)All of the above

Question 13

It is important for a driver with diabetes mellitus to manage blood glucose because it can be negatively affected by numerous aspects of commercial driving, such as:

A)Fatigue.
B)Stress.
C)Missed meals.
D)All of the above.

Question 14

A driver presents with diabetes mellitus. Federal guidelines require a medical examiner to follow up and discuss with the driver when the driver answers "yes" that he/she has diabetes mellitus or elevated blood glucose which is controlled by:

A)Pills.
B)Diet.
C)Insulin.
D)All of the above.

Question 15

Although a driver who takes an incretin mimetic may be certified, FMCSA guidelines require the driver do which of the following?

A)Provide a written statement from the treating healthcare professional
B)Be examined monthly
C)Eat at least three meals daily
D)None of the above

Question 16

A driver with a diabetes exemption must do which of the following?

A)Maintain a working cell phone at all times when driving
B)Carry a source of rapidly absorbable glucose while driving
C)Have a co-driver
D)All of the above

Question 17

A driver presents who has been diagnosed with depression and who takes Elavil. How should the medical examiner handle this case?

A)Drivers who use antidepressants should be handled on a case-by-case basis.
B)Drivers who take first generation antidepressants should not be certified.
C)Drivers who take either first or second generation antidepressants can be certified.
D)None of the above

Question 18

A driver who has been diagnosed with depression and is prescribed lithium may be certified if:

A)The driver is asymptomatic.
B)Has no impairment that interferes with safe driving.
C)Has lithium levels that are maintained in the therapeutic range.
D)All of the above

Question 19

When assessing a driver's ability to operate a commercial vehicle, a medical examiner should consider each of the following EXCEPT:

A)Driver's ability to manipulate the steering wheel.
B)The driver's family history.
C)Monitor and adjust to a complex driving situation.
D)Perform power grasping.

Question 20

The Medical Examination Report Form should document each of the following EXCEPT:

A)The medical examiner's educational background.
B)The driver's height and weight.
C)The need for corrective lenses while driving.
D)The reason for disqualification or deferral.

Question 21

Depending on the results of a driver's exam, a medical examiner may be required to submit other supporting documentation. This documentation might include all of the following EXCEPT:

A)A treating physician's work release.
B)Driver's birth certificate.
C)If obtained, a specialist's evaluation report.
D)A Skill Performance Evaluation, if necessary.

Question 22

If a medical examiner has a reasonable suspicion that a driver has violated federal guidelines regarding alcohol consumption, the driver:

A)Must be disqualified.
B)May be certified following residential substance abuse treatment.
C)May be certified following a one-month waiting period.
D)Must submit to alcohol testing.

Question 23

A driver with a history of alcoholism may be certified under which of the following conditions?

A)No residual disqualifying physical impairment
B)Successfully completed counseling and/or treatment
C)No current disqualifying alcohol-related conditions
D)All of the above

Question 24

A driver with a history of alcoholism who voluntarily attends self-help meetings (such as AA) should be:

A)Disqualified.
B)Certified following a two-month waiting period.
C)Certified with documentation from AA counselor.
D)Certified, provided there are no other alcohol-related disqualifying conditions.

Question 25

Upon disqualifying a driver for certification, a medical examiner is required to do which of the following?

A)Apologize to the driver.
B)Ask the driver to leave.
C)Provide the driver with a rationale for disqualification.
D)Alert the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Question 26

When assessing a driver, a medical examiner should consider the driver's ability to do each of the following EXCEPT:

A)Couple and uncouple trailers from a tractor.
B)Install and remove tire chains.
C)Shift through several gears using manual transmission.
D)All of the above

Question 27

If a driver tests positive for the use of a controlled substance, he/she must do all of the following EXCEPT before the driver can be a candidate for recertification?

A)Write a personal statement regarding his/her history of drug use
B)Be evaluated by a substance abuse professional
C)Have a negative result on a return-to-duty drug test
D)Comply with recommended rehabilitation

Question 28

A driver answers affirmatively when asked if he/she uses marijuana. Can the driver be certified?

A)Yes, in a state where marijuana is legal.
B)Yes, in a state where marijuana is legal for medical use.
C)Yes, if marijuana does not show up in urinalysis.
D)No, the driver cannot be certified.

Question 29

It is important for a medical examiner to assess a driver's cognitive ability. A driver whose cognitive ability is impaired may be limited in their ability to do which of the following?

A)Plan a travel route
B)Quickly alter the route of the vehicle to avoid a collision
C)Maneuver through crowded areas
D)All of the above

Question 30

Regarding medications, a driver is required to do which of the following?

A)List all medications, both prescription and over the counter
B)List only prescription medication
C)List only prescription medication with drowsiness as a side effect
D)None of the above

Question 31

A driver with a diabetes exemption should be prepared to do which of the following at each annual exam?

A)Plan to submit glucose monitoring logs
B)Provide a record of meals for the last month
C)Both of these
D)Neither of these

Question 32

A driver who admits to using controlled substances also attends a self-help program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. How should this driver's case be handled?

A)The self-help group cannot substitute for completion of an SAP-required drug rehabilitation program.
B)The driver should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
C)The driver should be certified without any restrictions.
D)The driver should be certified after six months of attending the self-help group.

Question 33

Which of the following should happen if a driver is cited for a moving traffic violation?

A)The driver should lose his/her certification.
B)The driver should undergo a psychological evaluation.
C)Drug and/or alcohol testing should be performed.
D)None of the above

Question 34

A driver who admits to using or tests positive for Schedule 1 controlled substances should:

A)Not be certified.
B)Be certified if he/she is attending a self-help group such AA.
C)Be certified following a six-month waiting period.
D)None of the above

Question 35

In the event that a driver has a condition whose treatment will likely interfere with the operation of a commercial vehicle, a medical examiner has an obligation to do which of the following?

A)Certify the driver following a second evaluation by a specialist
B)Certify the driver if he/she drives with a co-driver
C)Disqualify the driver
D)None of the above

Question 36

A medical examiner is required to indicate a driver's certification status. This may require which of the following?

A)Wearing corrective lenses
B)Wearing a hearing aid
C)A Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate
D)All of the above

Question 37

It is important for a medical examiner to consider a driver's overall strength and health because many commercial drivers will be required to do which of the following?

A)Couple and uncouple tractors from a trailer
B)Load and unload several thousand pounds of freight
C)Install and remove tire chains
D)All of the above

Question 38

When examining a driver's ears, which of the following must be documented by a medical examiner?

A)Unusual piercings
B)Abnormalities of the ear canal
C)Unattached earlobes
D)All of the above

Question 39

In the event that a driver is disqualified, it is the responsibility of the medical examiner to do which of the following?

A)Provide the driver with a rationale for disqualification
B)Provide instructions on how the driver may be qualified
C)Both A and B
D)Neither A nor B

Question 40

Medical examiners are required to measure a driver's height and weight because:

A)The DOT has height requirements for drivers.
B)The DOT has weight requirements for drivers.
C)They are helpful in determining a driver's health.
D)None of the above

Question 41

When performing an examination of a driver's eyes, at a minimum, the medical examiner should check for which of the following?

A)Ocular motility
B)Extraocular movement
C)Nystagmus
D)All of the above

Question 42

When a driver is temporarily disqualified, the medical examiner is required to include which of the following?

A)Reason for the disqualification
B)Length of the waiting period
C)Conditions that would restart the waiting period
D)All of the above

Question 43

Medical examiners are required to keep driver medical records for how long?

A)One year
B)Two years
C)Six months
D)Three months

Question 44

Medical examiners are required to measure the blood pressure of a driver with a BP of 140/90 a second time. Sometimes, high blood pressure can be the result of poor techniques. Which of the following is a poor technique which might result in an incorrect measure of blood pressure?

A)Placing the BP cuff over clothing instead of skin
B)Positioning the arm incorrectly
C)Using inappropriately-sized cuff
D)All of the above

Question 45

A driver who uses a pacemaker may be disqualified under which of the following conditions?

A)The driver has a family history of heart disease.
B)The driver has not been evaluated by a cardiologist in more than six months.
C)The driver also has a disqualifying underlying condition.
D)None of the above

Question 46

In the event that a driver is undergoing treatment which may interfere with his/her ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle and the medical examiner makes a decision to disqualify, the medical examiner has a responsibility to ask for which of the following?

A)Birth certificate
B)Credit history
C)Specialist reports
D)All of the above

Question 47

A driver presents who has had coronary artery bypass grafting. Which of the following should happen before the driver can be certified?

A)The driver should have a specialist's approval.
B)The driver's sternum should be completely healed.
C)The driver should wait a minimum of two years.
D)All of the above

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a key point of a respiratory exam?

A)Asthma
B)Sleep disorder
C)Blurred vision
D)Emphysema

Question 49

A Medical Examination Report completed by the medical examiner must include which of the following?

A)The reason(s) for disqualification or deferral
B)The driver's complete employment history
C)A brief medical history of the driver's immediate family
D)All of the above

Question 50

A driver who has affirmative responses to any questions in his/her medical history must also have which of the following in his/her Medical Examination Report?

A)Immediate disqualification
B)Specifics regarding affirmative answers
C)Family medical history
D)All of the above

Question 51

When examining a driver's spine, the medical examiner should note which of the following?

A)Tenderness and muscle spasm
B)Painful motion
C)Any deformities
D)All of the above

Question 52

If a driver has been qualified under a vision exemption, his/her Medical Examination Report must also include which of the following?

A)A statement from the state department of transportation
B)An annual optometrist's or opthalmologist's report
C)A hearing exam
D)None of the above

Question 53

If a driver is found to have a condition which requires a care plan, it is the responsibility of the medical examiner to do which of the following?

A)Disqualify the driver.
B)Inform the driver of the consequences of noncompliance.
C)File a report with the American Medical Association.
D)All of the above

Question 54

In the event that a driver requires a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE), the medical examiner must do which of the following?

A)Identify the conditions put forth in the SPE.
B)Accompany the driver on any required follow-up exams.
C)Refuse to certify the driver.
D)None of the above

Question 55

A driver presents with a history of severe migraines. How should the medical examiner handle this case?

A)Because migraines can interfere with driving, the medical examiner should not certify the driver until treatment has been shown to be safe and effective.
B)Migraines have no bearing on whether a driver is certified or not.
C)The driver can be certified, following a one-month waiting period.
D)None of the above

Question 56

A driver who has a federal diabetes exemption should provide the medical examiner with which of the following?

A)Endocrinologist Annual Evaluation Checklist
B)Cardiologist Annual Evaluation Checklist
C)Statement of Exemption from the state department of transportation
D)None of the above

Question 57

In the event that a driver has a hearing impairment and uses a hearing aid, a medical examiner should do which of the following?

A)Disqualify the driver
B)Stipulate that the driver must not drive alone
C)Report the driver to the state department of transportation
D)Note the hearing aid on the Medical Examiner's Certificate

Question 58

When examining a driver's vision, a medical examiner should check which of the following?

A)Color recognition
B)Horizontal field of vision in each eye
C)Reactivity to light
D)All of the above

Question 59

A driver who wears contact lenses should also:

A)Drive with a partner.
B)Carry a pair of glasses in the vehicle.
C)Have monthly examinations by an optometrist.
D)None of the above

Question 60

A driver presents with compromised mobility and difficult climbing stairs and ladders. How should a medical examiner handle this case?

A)A driver's inability to perform arduous physical tasks should be strongly considered.
B)Limited mobility should not factor into the medical examiner's decision.
C)The driver should not be certified.
D)None of the above

Question 61

How should a medical examiner handle FMCSA guidelines which have not yet been published?

A)They do not have to be enforced until they are published.
B)They must be upheld.
C)They must be enforced at the discretion of the medical examiner.
D)None of the above

Question 62

A driver who has been diagnosed with ADHD can be certified under which of the following circumstances?

A)Driver complies with treatment program
B)Tolerates treatment without qualifying side effects
C)Is evaluated by a mental health professional
D)All of the above

Question 63

Does a diagnosis of bipolar disorder prevent a driver from becoming certified?

A)Not necessarily; a determination is not made on the diagnosis alone
B)Yes, in all circumstances
C)Only in severe cases of bipolar disorder
D)None of the above

Question 64

Which of the following medications may be taken by a commercial driver?

A)Herbs and supplements
B)Schedule I controlled substances
C)Schedule II controlled substances
D)None of the above