Physical Assessment (PA) Lower Extremity (LE) Practice Test

The Kemp Test is performed to assess for lumbar spine or nerve root involvement, particularly in cases of radiculopathy or herniated discs. When conducting the Kemp Test in a seated position, the patient is required to flex and rotate toward the side of contact or the symptomatic area. This action helps to assess the presence of pain or discomfort in the lumbar region, indicating possible nerve root irritation or disc pathology.

By having the patient flex and rotate toward contact, the clinician can observe the changes in symptoms that may suggest specific underlying conditions affecting the lumbar spine. This loading of the spinal structures in the seated position allows for a clear assessment of nerve root tension and the assessment of the mobility and loading of the lumbar spine, which is critical for diagnosis.

In contrast to other options, the focus here is clearly on the patient's movements toward the area of discomfort, which captures the essence of maneuvering the spine into positions that may reproduce symptoms indicative of lumbar spine issues.