North Carolina Chiropractic Assistant
Level I Clinical Examination Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
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Section 1: Chiropractic Philosophy & Terminology (Q1-Q17)
1. Who is credited as the founder of chiropractic?
• A. Dr. James Herring
• B. Dr. B.J. Palmer
• C. Dr. Daniel David Palmer
• D. Dr. John F. Kennedy
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
• Rationale: Dr. Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer performed the first
chiropractic adjustment in 1895 and is recognized as the founder of
chiropractic. His son, B.J. Palmer, is considered the "Developer of
Chiropractic."
2. What is the primary philosophical principle behind chiropractic
care?
• A. Disease is caused solely by pathogens.
• B. Misalignments of the spine (vertebral subluxations) interfere
with nervous system function.
• C. Medication is the primary treatment for musculoskeletal issues.
, • D. Surgery is the first line of intervention.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: The central tenet of chiropractic philosophy is that
spinal misalignments, or subluxations, disrupt nerve flow,
impacting overall health, and that correcting these misalignments
restores bodily function.
3. What is the literal meaning of the term "chiropractic"?
• A. "Spinal Health"
• B. "Done by Hand"
• C. "Nerve Flow"
• D. "Joint Alignment"
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: The word "chiropractic" is derived from the Greek
words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice or done), meaning "done
by hand."
4. How is a "chiropractic adjustment" best defined?
• A. A surgical procedure to fuse vertebrae.
• B. A massage technique for soft tissue.
• C. The restoration of spinal function using the hands or other
instrument.
• D. An electrical stimulation of the muscles.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
• Rationale: A chiropractic adjustment is a specific, controlled
therapeutic force applied to a joint to restore proper function,
reduce nerve interference, and allow the body to maintain
homeostasis (a steady state).
5. What does "subluxation" refer to in chiropractic terminology?
, • A. A complete dislocation of a joint.
• B. A spinal misalignment that may cause abnormal function and
nerve interference.
• C. A fracture of the vertebral body.
• D. The wearing down of intervertebral discs.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: A subluxation is less than a full dislocation. It is a
misaligned or fixated vertebra that leads to aberrant function and
nerve irritation.
6. What does "homeostasis" mean in the context of chiropractic
care?
• A. The study of the body's structure.
• B. A state of equilibrium or steady state within the body.
• C. The process of diagnosing a disease.
• D. A type of therapeutic ultrasound.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable
internal environment. Chiropractic care aims to remove nerve
interference, allowing the body to better regulate itself toward this
steady state.
7. What is the primary focus of the "Palmer" technique in
chiropractic?
• A. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
• B. A full-spine analysis and specific adjustment based on leg
length checks.
• C. Craniosacral therapy.
• D. The use of activator tools exclusively.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
, • Rationale: While the term can be broad, the Palmer method,
particularly associated with B.J. Palmer, heavily emphasizes a
"hole-in-one" or specific adjustment based on analysis including
leg length checks and spinal x-rays to correct subluxations.
**8. What is "physiology"?
• A. The study of the body's structure.
• B. The study of the body's function.
• C. The study of cells and tissues.
• D. The study of disease.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the
normal functions of living organisms and their parts. This is in
contrast to anatomy, which studies the structure.
**9. What is "anatomy"?
• A. The study of the body's structure.
• B. The study of the body's function.
• C. The study of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
• D. The study of the nervous system.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: A
• Rationale: Anatomy is the science concerned with the physical
structure of the human body. Understanding anatomy is crucial for
correctly identifying anatomical landmarks and understanding joint
mechanics.
10. What does the term "palpation" refer to?
• A. Listening to internal body sounds.
• B. Examining the body by touch.
• C. Tapping on the body to produce sounds.
Level I Clinical Examination Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
Section 1: Chiropractic Philosophy & Terminology (Q1-Q17)
1. Who is credited as the founder of chiropractic?
• A. Dr. James Herring
• B. Dr. B.J. Palmer
• C. Dr. Daniel David Palmer
• D. Dr. John F. Kennedy
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
• Rationale: Dr. Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer performed the first
chiropractic adjustment in 1895 and is recognized as the founder of
chiropractic. His son, B.J. Palmer, is considered the "Developer of
Chiropractic."
2. What is the primary philosophical principle behind chiropractic
care?
• A. Disease is caused solely by pathogens.
• B. Misalignments of the spine (vertebral subluxations) interfere
with nervous system function.
• C. Medication is the primary treatment for musculoskeletal issues.
, • D. Surgery is the first line of intervention.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: The central tenet of chiropractic philosophy is that
spinal misalignments, or subluxations, disrupt nerve flow,
impacting overall health, and that correcting these misalignments
restores bodily function.
3. What is the literal meaning of the term "chiropractic"?
• A. "Spinal Health"
• B. "Done by Hand"
• C. "Nerve Flow"
• D. "Joint Alignment"
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: The word "chiropractic" is derived from the Greek
words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice or done), meaning "done
by hand."
4. How is a "chiropractic adjustment" best defined?
• A. A surgical procedure to fuse vertebrae.
• B. A massage technique for soft tissue.
• C. The restoration of spinal function using the hands or other
instrument.
• D. An electrical stimulation of the muscles.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
• Rationale: A chiropractic adjustment is a specific, controlled
therapeutic force applied to a joint to restore proper function,
reduce nerve interference, and allow the body to maintain
homeostasis (a steady state).
5. What does "subluxation" refer to in chiropractic terminology?
, • A. A complete dislocation of a joint.
• B. A spinal misalignment that may cause abnormal function and
nerve interference.
• C. A fracture of the vertebral body.
• D. The wearing down of intervertebral discs.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: A subluxation is less than a full dislocation. It is a
misaligned or fixated vertebra that leads to aberrant function and
nerve irritation.
6. What does "homeostasis" mean in the context of chiropractic
care?
• A. The study of the body's structure.
• B. A state of equilibrium or steady state within the body.
• C. The process of diagnosing a disease.
• D. A type of therapeutic ultrasound.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable
internal environment. Chiropractic care aims to remove nerve
interference, allowing the body to better regulate itself toward this
steady state.
7. What is the primary focus of the "Palmer" technique in
chiropractic?
• A. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
• B. A full-spine analysis and specific adjustment based on leg
length checks.
• C. Craniosacral therapy.
• D. The use of activator tools exclusively.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
, • Rationale: While the term can be broad, the Palmer method,
particularly associated with B.J. Palmer, heavily emphasizes a
"hole-in-one" or specific adjustment based on analysis including
leg length checks and spinal x-rays to correct subluxations.
**8. What is "physiology"?
• A. The study of the body's structure.
• B. The study of the body's function.
• C. The study of cells and tissues.
• D. The study of disease.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
• Rationale: Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the
normal functions of living organisms and their parts. This is in
contrast to anatomy, which studies the structure.
**9. What is "anatomy"?
• A. The study of the body's structure.
• B. The study of the body's function.
• C. The study of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
• D. The study of the nervous system.
• Correct ,,,,answer,,,: A
• Rationale: Anatomy is the science concerned with the physical
structure of the human body. Understanding anatomy is crucial for
correctly identifying anatomical landmarks and understanding joint
mechanics.
10. What does the term "palpation" refer to?
• A. Listening to internal body sounds.
• B. Examining the body by touch.
• C. Tapping on the body to produce sounds.
