Differential Diagnosis and Medical Screening in Physical Therapy Practice Exam

Inconsistent symptom patterns typically point to systemic or multi-system involvement rather than a single, localized issue. When symptoms don’t fit a stable, predictable musculoskeletal pattern, it’s important to review systems that can vary over time or with factors like hormones, medications, mood, or neurological function. Endocrine problems can cause fluctuating energy, pain, or weakness; neurological conditions may produce variable sensation or motor symptoms; rheumatologic diseases often have unpredictable flares; adverse drug reactions can cause symptoms to come and go with dosing or interactions; psychological factors can change symptom perception and reporting. Considering these areas helps capture organic and non-organic contributors that a narrow focus might miss. The other options limit the review to cardiovascular/pulmonary or to immunologic/lymphatic or to skin and musculoskeletal, which would overlook these broad, fluctuating influences.