NRCME Flashcards
DOT Exams
Re-current training every x years
5 yrs
Re-Certification every x years
10
Retaking training cannot
occur before x yr
4 years
Retaking the test cannot
occur before x years
9 years
Driving Status must be
determined on x
the day of
the exam
Report to website monthly, even if x
no exams were
completed.
CMEs must report exams perform on all drivers of a
CMV that are medically certified to
drive across state lines.
Drivers of a CMV that are medically certified to
drive across state lines Includes:
- Drivers w/, or pending CDL or Permit (CLP)
- School bus drivers who are not
exempted from the federal medical examiner regulation.
•Interstate Non CDL Drivers of vehicles that weigh/rated for over 10,000lbs but under 26,001lb.
MEs must provide a copy of the examination form to
FMCSA within x hours when requested.
48 hours
The Driver Medical Exam
requires urinalysis for:
Specific Gravity
Protein
Glucose
Blood
CLIA=
Clinical Laboratory
Improvement Amendment
A vehicle with twice the weight of the other vehicle
equals a x risk of death to person in other vehicle
six-fold
What is the time interval for medical certification and the vision exemption issued for a driver who is required to have a vision exemption?
1 year, 2 years…The driver must have an annual medical examination with a vision specialist and an annual medical certificate, but the vision exemption is granted for two years.
A driver has a blood pressure of 168/112 confirmed during the examination. The driver would be?
Disqualified …This is Stage 3 hypertension. The driver is disqualified until their blood pressure is less than or equal to 140/90 at which time they will have a maximum certification of 6 months from the date of this examination.
A driver with COPD, hypertension and had a MI comes for re-certification. The results from the cardiologist were normal, however you notice that the driver achieved 4.5 METs on the ETT. What should the examiner do?
Disqualify the driver…Drivers must exceed 6 METs on an ETT to be qualified to drive.
Drivers must exceed ______ METs on an ETT to be qualified to drive.
6 METs
During the medical examination, the ME suspects undiagnosed OSA. There are no other exam findings that indicate disqualification. What is the next step?
Whenever the ME suspects undiagnosed OSA, the driver should be disqualified until evaluated by a sleep specialist.
A driver is missing all of his index finger on his right hand, but has a thumb and all of his other digits. The next step is:
Assess ability to perform driver demands such as rotation of outstretched arms against resistance as if turning a steering wheel….If the driver can demonstrate sufficient power grasp and prehension, they can be certified to drive without a SPE.
If the driver can demonstrate sufficient power grasp and prehension, they ___
can be certified to drive without a SPE.
Which of the following describes the responsibilities of the medical examiner?
49 CFR 391.43
A driver has a right diminished Achilles reflex and right leg pain. What is the next step?
Check for decreased plantar-flexion strength…this may result in functional inability to control a CMV safely and may be indicated by a loss of Achilles reflex.
A driver has noticeable pain in his lower back during lumbar flexion. The driver indicates that he is under active treatment for a recent low back strain. He has been released to return to light duty work. He never has to load or unload his truck. The examiner should.
Disqualify the driver… There is no light duty option for driving.
The driver lists a history of hypertension and diabetes on his history. His wife complains of his loud snoring. BP of 136/82. BMI is a 42.26 and his neck size is 17.5 inches. The examiner should:
Disqualify the driver pending a sleep apnea evaluation from a specialist..suspected undiagnosed OSA should be evaluated prior to certification.
Is the stanford sleepiness test a required yearly test for drivers with OSA?
No…The Stanford sleepiness scale is a sleepiness survey and not considered an objective test as required yearly for certification.
What are the required yearly tests for drivers with OSA?
Polysomnography
Maintenance of wakefulness test
Multiple sleep latency test
The driver is unable to flex either hip more than 60 degrees due to right and left hip replacement performed 5 years ago and 7 years ago. He is adamant that he is able to drive a truck. This is his first driver medical exam since the surgery. What is the next step?
Require an orthopedic evaluation to determine if the driver requires and/or is a candidate for a SPE…A driver with physical limitations that may interfere with safe operation of a CMV should be evaluated to determine if he has a “fixed deficit”. Hip flexion of 90 degrees may be required to enter the cab.
The driver is taking “Wellbutrin”, low dose, to help him stop smoking. He is provided a note from his PCP stating that he has no side effects and confirms that he is taking the medication for smoking cessation. The examiner would?
Certify the driver for 2 years….The driver is not being treated for a mental condition and has no side effect risk for safe driving.
A driver was prescribed Provigil two weeks ago to treat excessive sleepiness. The driver reports feeling better and denies any medication side effects. What is the next step?
Disqualify the driver for 4 weeks to complete a six week waiting period…
Drivers prescribed Provigil (sleepiness) may be considered for driving after a x.
minimum 6 weeks period
After completion of the 6 week waiting period for Provigil, the prescribing physician and ME must agree the treatment is effective and document no untoward side effects are present. Drivers are re-certified ________
annually.
The examiner notices that the driver is distant, lacks eye contact and shows no emotional response during the exam. The examiners best response should be.
Refer the driver to a mental health profession prior to certification…The driver appears to exhibit a Flat affect which is seen in schizophrenia and in severe depression. The driver should be evaluated by a mental health expert for evaluation prior to certification.
MMSE questionnaire is used for evaluation of x
cognitive status.
A driver with diabetes has 6 month follow-ups w/ his PCP, his last A1C of 9.5 was measured 2 months ago. He is taking metformin and Byetta. He has peripheral neuropathy involving loss of temperature sensation in both feet. What is the driving status?
Qualified to drive for 1 year…Diabetics are disqualified if they have peripheral neuropathy except when the loss only involves temperature sensation. Byetta is not insulin, but may require more frequent monitoring.
Diabetics are disqualified if they have peripheral neuropathy except when the loss only involves x.
temperature sensation
Byetta=
is an injectable incretin mimemic, not insulin, but taking this medication may require more frequent monitoring.
During the ear and hearing portion of the examination, the medical examiner must always:
Complete testing for both ears even if one passed.
A driver states that he was out of work following back surgery for over a year, but since has returned to driving and his last certification was good for 2 years. He lists as his only medication Oxycodone, which he takes only as needed. He reports seeing his “pain doctor” every few months for evaluation. The examiner should?
Request medical clearance prior to certification…The driver suffers a chronic pain condition that may inhibit his ability to perform all essential functions associated with driving a CMV and is taking a narcotic medication which requires clearance from the prescribing physician.
A driver with a history of diabetes is taking Byetta, provides a note from his PCP that lists his A1c level as 10. The medical examiner should?
Certify the driver for 1 year….An A1c level of 10 equates to a blood glucose level of about 300 mg/dl representing small risk for a hypoglycemic event. You may certify the driver for only a period of 1 year if he is a diabetic.
An A1c level of 10 equates to a blood glucose level of about 300 mg/dl representing small risk for a…
hypoglycemic event.
You may certify the driver for only a period of _____ if he is a diabetic.
1 year
What frequencies are used to determine average hearing loss?
500 Hz, 1000 Hz 2000 Hz…The driver may not have greater than 40db of hearing loss in the better ear using the ANSI standard measured at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz.
The driver may not have greater than ______ of hearing loss in the better ear using the ANSI standard measured at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz.
40db
ANSI standard is measured at _______
500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz.
A driver who utilizes contact lenses to drive should be counseled to?
Have a spare pair of glasses when driving
A driver has one ear canal completely plugged with wax but both ears pass the hearing standard. The medical exam is otherwise normal. What is the next step?
Disqualify the driver until wax is removed (correct)
T/F The ME must view the tympanic membrane and auditory canal prior to certification.
T
Which is not an appropriate Hours of Service regulation for CMV drivers?
Must carry driving logs for last 48 hours (correct)
Driver must have their driving log for the last X days.
7 days
All of the following meet the FMCSA definition of epilepsy except:
2 or more provoked seizures. (correct)
Provoked seizures due to a known cause are not part of the FMCSA definition of x.
epilepsy.
A driver cannot be considered for a SPE if:
The deficit affects the torso (correct)
Drivers with deficits that affect the X cannot be consider for a SPE
torso
A driver reports a history of using coumadin to treat Atrial Fibrillation. He presents with medical clearance from his cardiologist stating he may drive and his most recent INR is 2.5. The examiner would?
Certify the driver for 1 year.
A driver with A-Fib would require medical clearance. All drivers on anticoagulation therapy are required to comply with _______.
monthly INR readings. INR values between 2 and 3 are acceptable.
Drivers with a history of which of the following can be certified to drive?
Autonomic Neuropathy (correct)
Drivers with a history of myotonia and _______ CANNOT be certified to drive?
Isaac’s Syndrome
Stiff-man syndrome
Myotonia, Isaac’s Syndrome and Stiff-man syndrome are X
congenital myopathies and disqualifying
A 67 year-old male driver lists Rx of lisinopril, HCT, pravastatin, metformin and aricept. The driver does not remember the reason he is taking Aricept. The driver’s wife answers many of the questions during the exam. The examiners best decision would be to:
Temporarily disqualify the driver to obtain medical information for the use of aricept (correct)
Aricept is a medication that is used in the treatment of x
Alzheimer’s disease.
Any dementia, including that associated with Alzheimers, is x
disqualifying. Once confirmed, the driver would be permanently disqualified.
If a driver is disqualified by FMCSA standards, and the medical examiner believes the driver is qualified to drive, what can be done?
Override the guideline based on best practice. (correct)
A driver reports that he suffered a left orbital fracture. He presents a note from an ophthalmologist stating “may drive”. His exam shows limitation in horizontal vision in his left eye, which was inconclusive. His distance acuity was 20/20 right and 20/40 left. The medical examiner should?
Refer the driver to a vision specialist to determine horizontal vision.
The driver must have horizontal vision of x degrees bilaterally to drive a CMV.
70
In order for the driver to obtain an Insulin exemption, the medical examiner must give the driver which of the following?
A short and long form both marked certified for 1 year, accompanied by “with insulin” written in the blank and exemption? circled.
A driver with which of the following AAA’s cannot be certified to drive?
Greater than 5 cm with CV specialist recommendation not to be repaired. (correct)
Regardless of recommendation for no repair, AAAs over x cm are disqualifying.
5
A driver is taking a safe dose of methadone for pain management. His treating physician has cleared the driver as being safe to drive taking the medication as prescribed. What is the next step?
Disqualify the driver
T/F Methadone use is a non-discretionary standard and is always disqualifying.
T
What is the waiting period and re-certification interval for a driver that has had a heart transplant?
1 year 6 months (correct)
A driver with a heart transplant must wait one year and if asymptomatic, tolerates medication, CV clearance, no signs of rejections and if meets all other CV requirements he may be certified for x months.
6
What is the waiting period for Benign Positional Vertigo (BPV)?
2 months
The waiting period for BPV is ____months symptom free.
2
The urine test that is performed during the DOT physical examination is primarily to assess?
Kidney function and diabetes (correct)
T/F= Testing for Alcohol, prescription medication or illicit drug is not usually part of the CDL medical exam.
T
The urine test that is part of every medical exam is a urinalysis to detect x
diabetes or kidney pathology.
A driver with a history of diabetes is taking Byetta, provides a note from his PCP that lists his A1c level as 10. His exam is essentially WNL including laboratory analysis except he is notably overweight. The medical examiner should?
Certify the driver for 1 year. (correct)
An A1c level of x equates to a blood glucose level of about 300 mg/dl representing small risk for a hypoglycemic event.
10
You may certify the driver for only a period of x year if he is a diabetic.
1 year
_______is an injectable incretin mimemic, not insulin, but taking this medication may require more frequent monitoring.
Byetta
A driver weighs 500 lbs, eats only fast food and gets no exercise. His total cholesterol is 400 and his blood pressure is 138/88. Pulse is 99. The driver admits to not being faithful to using his statins and other medications as prescribed. What is the next step?
Caution the driver regarding non-compliance of medication and treatment plan
You notice that a driver is wheezing and out of breath during the exam. What is the next step?
Refer to pulmonologist (correct)
Drivers that exhibit wheezing and out of breath during the exam should have a x prior to certification.
pulmonary evaluation
Are Extended wear contacts disqualifying?
no
Are Monocular vision, Monovision, Telescopic lenses disqualifying?
yes
Monocular vision requires a x for qualification.
vision exemption
A driver is found to have red/green color deficiency using the Ishihara color blindness test. What is the next step?
Refer the driver to a vision specialist (correct)
To pass the color standard, a driver must differentiate between traffic signal red, green, and amber. Can Ishihara charts make that determination?
no
The ME should use ____ to test color deficiency or refer to a vision specialist.
traffic signal colors
The vision exemption is for ____only.
visual acuity and horizontal vision
The previous driver reports back for re-certification with the same findings except that his blood pressure is now 165/101. The next step is:
Certify the driver for 3 months and refer the driver for hypertension intervention (correct)
The returning driver has Stage 2 hypertension and should be given a ______ certificate and referred for treatment.
3 month
What is the time interval for medical certification and the vision exemption issued for a driver who is required to have a vision exemption?
1 year, 2 years (correct
For a driver who is required to have a vision exemption, the driver must have an _______medical examination with a vision specialist and an annual medical certificate,
annual
The vision exemption is granted for _____ years.
two
A driver complains of slow progressive diminished distance visual acuity and glare particularly at night from oncoming headlights and decreased contrast. The most likely cause is:
Cataracts (correct)
Cataract formation causes diminished visual acuity in ______, and night glare from headlights is one of the first changes to appear.
all fields
Near vision may be improved with what eye condition?
Cataract formation
night glare from headlights is one of the first changes to appear from what?
Cataract
The longest the medical examiner would certify a driver with a history of Stage 3 hypertension is?
6 months (correct)
Should a driver who is taking an anticonvulsant medication be qualified or disqualified and why?
Qualified. If taken for chronic pain, the dose is smaller and is less likely to have side effects that interfere with driving. (correct)
What is the lowest allowable PaO2 concentration if the driver has an ABG due to a chronic respiratory disorder.
60% (correct)
The lowest PAO2 concentration is x when obtained at altitudes at or above 5000 feet.
60%
A driver lists in his history that he has diabetes and is taking insulin. He provides a copy of his exemption that was granted just over one year ago, a recent visit to his treating physician and eye specialist, and a log indicating that he has monitored his sugar levels and demonstrates that he has a fast acting glucose source in his possession. The CME should:
Certify the driver for 1 year. (correct)
The driver has satisfied all requirements of the insulin exemption which is valid for 2 years, Maximum medical certification is ______
1 year.
A driver reports that she has Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in her left wrist. Additionally, she reports using a brace at night, taking and seeing a physical therapist for treatment. She has no current restrictions from work. Her grip strength in her right and left hand is 5/5. The best next step is:
Certify the driver but require more frequent monitoring
An SPE is not available for______ bc is not a Fixed Deficit. If the driver can meet the functions involving hand strength they should be certified to drive but may be required to have more frequent monitoring of this potentially progressive disease.
CTS
A driver reports a history of “Irritable Bowl Syndrome” or IBS. He is being treated with the use of diet and “Lomotil” and he reports he is well managed. He does not provide any release from his treating provider. The examiner best decision would be to:
Certify the driver for 2 years. (correct)
Heart rate in an athletic adult at or above x bpm is considered normal.
50 bpm
The driver reports of history of COPD and that he smokes a pack and a half of cigarettes daily. He has been treated by a pulmonologist for a few years now but insists he is able to drive safely. He lists that he is taking Spiriva daily and his “water pill” which he cannot remember the name of, for high blood pressure. His examination reveals notable wheezing in all lung fields upon auscultation, a BMI of 34.23, and the rest of his examination is unremarkable. The examiner should:
Request a Pulmonary Function Test.
T/F= Drivers with a history of COPD should be evaluated prior to certification to see if they meet pulmonary standards.
T
A driver has 35 degrees of cervical rotation to the right and left but can view both side mirrors. What is the next best step?
Qualify the driver for two years (correct)
FMCSA has not adopted a standard cervical range of motion guideline for drivers. Drivers must be able to view ______
both mirrors.
Which of the following commercial drivers involved in interstate commerce are not required to have a current medical certificate?
Driving a vehicle with compensation carrying or rated to carry 9 passengers within 75 air miles of the driver?s normal work-reporting location. (correct)
Usually driving a vehicle for compensation that carries between 9-15 passengers in interstate commerce requires a current medical certificate, except when the vehicle stays within _____ miles of the driver?s work-reporting location.
75 air miles
A driver has a right diminished Achilles reflex and right leg pain. He states that he can drive a truck without difficulty. What is the next step?
Check for decrease plantar-flexion strength (correct)
Decreased ________of the ankle may result in functional inability to control a CMV safely and may be indicated by a loss of Achilles reflex.
plantar-flexion
A driver reports that 2 months ago he had a benign supratentorial tumor successfully removed without residual neurological deficits. The exam is otherwise normal. He brings a surgical and evaluation report from the surgeon who recommends return to driving. What is the certification status of the driver?
Disqualified for 22 months to complete the two year waiting period (correct)
This category of tumor has a two year waiting period.
benign supratentorial tumor
The FMCSA definition of sleep apnea is:
30 or more apnea events per hour (correct)
The FMCSA definition of sleep apnea is 30 hypo/apnea events per hour. However, recent recommendation is that drivers with a diagnosis by a sleep specialist of mild to severe (15-30) sleep apnea should _______
receive sleep apnea treatment.