NBCE SPEC case studies
NBCE SPEC · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Special Purposes Examination for Chiropractic (SPEC) is an NBCE examination listed on the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners website under its Testing menu, alongside the pre-licensure computer-based exams (Parts I, II, III and PHT), the pre-licensure practical exam (Part IV), the specialty exams and the state exams. The NBCE's own navigation routes candidates to a dedicated SPEC page hosted at mynbce.org, and applications for NBCE exams are submitted through the NBCE's online application portal. The NBCE SPEC case studies are 5 cases and about 2,466 words.
1Progressive Hand Numbness and Gait Instability in an Older Adult
A 67-year-old right-handed retired teacher presents with 3 months of progressive numbness in both hands, worse at night, and increasing clumsiness; she has dropped her coffee cup twice in the past month. She also reports unsteady gait, especially in the dark, and a stiff neck.
496 words, about 2 min2Neck Pain After a Fall in an Anticoagulated Patient
A 72-year-old man with atrial fibrillation takes apixaban 5 mg twice daily. Two days ago he fell approximately 6 feet from a ladder while cleaning gutters, landing on his buttocks, and he now has midline neck pain and occipital headache.
494 words, about 2 min3Snuffbox Tenderness After a Fall on an Outstretched Hand
A 22-year-old competitive skateboarder fell onto an outstretched right hand 3 days ago. He has radial-sided wrist pain, worse with gripping and pushing up from a chair.
496 words, about 2 min4Disability Paperwork That Does Not Match the Examination
A 46-year-old warehouse worker with 2 years of intermittent low back pain asks you to complete a disability form stating he cannot lift more than 5 pounds for 8 weeks because of 'sciatica.' Today he reports pain 4/10 with prolonged standing, has full lumbar range of motion, negative straight-leg raise, normal strength and reflexes, and no radicular symptoms. He says his supervisor is pressuring him to return to full duty and that 'everyone pads the form.' He has no attorney and is not currently in litigation.
514 words, about 3 min5New Temporal Headache With Jaw Claudication
A 74-year-old woman presents with a 2-week history of new, severe left temporal headache and scalp tenderness when brushing her hair. She reports jaw pain while chewing and one episode of transient blurred vision in the left eye lasting about 2 minutes.
466 words, about 2 min