Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

A positive iliopsoas muscle test indicates the presence of which condition?

1. Left cerebral vascular accident

2. Urinary tract infection

3. Acute abdomen

4. Heel fractures

The correct answer is: Acute abdomen

A positive iliopsoas muscle test is indicative of irritation or inflammation of the iliopsoas muscle, which is often associated with conditions affecting the abdominal region, particularly in the context of an acute abdomen. This test is performed by passively extending the hip while the patient is lying supine; pain elicited from this movement suggests potential issues with the abdominal viscera, such as appendicitis, or other intra-abdominal disorders. In cases of an acute abdomen, particularly those involving the appendix or retroperitoneal organs, the iliopsoas muscle can become tender due to inflammation adjacent to these structures. Consequently, the test serves as a valuable indicator in clinical assessments when diagnosing abdominal conditions, making it pertinent in determining the presence of an acute abdomen. While other options might be associated with different clinical signs or symptoms, they do not specifically relate to the function of the iliopsoas muscle or indicate the particular acute issues recognized by a positive test result.