Low Back Pain – 5 MCQs Quiz

Q1. A 29-year-old man presents with acute low back pain after lifting weights. Pain improves with rest, no fever, no neurological deficit, and no red-flag features. What is the next best step?

A. Immediate MRI lumbar spine B. Strict bed rest for 1 week C. NSAIDs + activity as tolerated; no imaging D. Emergency neurosurgery referral

Q2. A 57-year-old man presents with low back pain, urinary retention, saddle anesthesia, and bilateral leg weakness. Which imaging is immediately required?

A. X-ray lumbar spine B. MRI lumbar spine C. CT abdomen D. Bone scan

Q3. A 67-year-old man has chronic low back pain, night pain, weight loss, and localized tenderness. What is the most appropriate next step?

A. Reassure and give analgesics B. MRI spine to rule out malignancy C. Physiotherapy without imaging D. CT scan pelvis only

Q4. A 70-year-old woman reports leg pain on walking that improves when she bends forward. Pulses are normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Lumbar spinal stenosis B. Peripheral arterial disease C. Sciatica D. Hip osteoarthritis

Q5. A 42-year-old man with L4-L5 disc herniation has persistent radicular pain for 8 weeks despite NSAIDs and physiotherapy. No bladder symptoms. What is the next step?

A. Continue conservative therapy indefinitely B. Epidural steroid injection ± consider surgery if symptoms persist C. Emergency decompression tonight D. Apply a rigid lumbar brace for 3 months