Police Sergeant Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

The term "Romberg sign" refers specifically to a clinical test used to assess a person's ability to maintain balance while standing, particularly when their vision is compromised. During a sobriety test, if a motorist displays difficulty maintaining equilibrium, this often manifests as the inability to stand still or maintain balance when requested to close their eyes and stand with feet together. The presence of the Romberg sign is a strong indicator of impairment, which is why it is a critical observation in sobriety tests conducted by law enforcement.

The other options describe related but distinct concepts. For instance, a balancing test generally refers to any test assessing an individual's balance but does not specify the clinical context tied to the Romberg sign. A coordination test assesses overall motor skills and dexterity, often involving tasks that require hand-eye coordination. Field sobriety tests encompass a variety of assessments conducted by officers to determine if a driver is impaired, making it a broader term that includes the Romberg sign as one of the components but does not specifically highlight the balance aspect. Therefore, "Romberg sign" is the most precise term in this context for indicating a driver's difficulty in maintaining equilibrium during a sobriety test.