Michigan Physical Therapist License
Practice Exam Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. The primary goal of physical therapy is to:
A. Prescribe medication for pain
B. Restore and maintain optimal physical function
C. Perform surgical interventions
D. Diagnose psychological disorders
Rationale: Physical therapists focus on improving movement,
function, and quality of life through non-invasive interventions.
2. Which of the following is a contraindication for passive range of
motion exercises?
A. Mild muscle stiffness
B. Recent fracture with unstable fixation
C. Joint contracture
D. Postoperative healing under supervision
Rationale: Passive ROM should not be applied to unstable
fractures as it may cause further injury.
3. The best approach to manage a patient with chronic low back pain
includes:
A. Complete bed rest
B. Exercise therapy and patient education
, C. Immediate surgery
D. Long-term opioid use
Rationale: Evidence supports exercise and education as first-line
management for chronic low back pain.
4. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle
lengthens under load?
A. Isometric
B. Eccentric
C. Concentric
D. Isokinetic
Rationale: Eccentric contractions involve lengthening of the muscle
while generating force.
5. In physical therapy, the term “modalities” refers to:
A. Psychological counseling
B. Therapeutic physical agents such as heat, cold, and ultrasound
C. Surgery techniques
D. Nutritional interventions
Rationale: Modalities are non-exercise treatments used to reduce
pain or facilitate tissue healing.
6. What is the primary purpose of proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation (PNF) techniques?
A. Improve cardiovascular endurance
B. Enhance neuromuscular control and flexibility
C. Increase bone density
D. Treat infections
Rationale: PNF uses specific patterns to improve muscle strength,
coordination, and range of motion.
,7. Which of the following best describes open-chain exercises?
A. Exercises where the distal segment is fixed
B. Exercises where the distal segment moves freely
C. Exercises performed in water
D. Exercises using isometric contractions only
Rationale: Open-chain exercises allow the limb to move freely, as
opposed to closed-chain exercises.
8. A patient presents with left-sided hemiplegia after a stroke. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Bed rest for 2 weeks
B. Task-specific functional training and gait training
C. Immediate passive stretching only
D. Full immobilization of the affected limb
Rationale: Early, task-oriented interventions improve functional
recovery in stroke patients.
9. In documentation, SOAP stands for:
A. Strength, Observation, Assessment, Plan
B. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
C. Surgery, Observation, Analysis, Prescription
D. Structure, Output, Action, Progress
Rationale: SOAP is the standard framework for clinical notes in
physical therapy.
10. Which assessment tool is commonly used to measure
functional mobility in older adults?
A. Visual Analog Scale
B. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test
C. MRI
, D. Electromyography
Rationale: The TUG test evaluates balance and mobility in older
adults and predicts fall risk.
11. Which exercise is most appropriate for improving hip
abductor strength?
A. Seated knee extension
B. Side-lying leg raises
C. Biceps curl
D. Seated calf raises
Rationale: Side-lying leg raises target the hip abductor muscles
effectively.
12. Which of the following is considered a precaution for using
ultrasound therapy?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Over metal implants or pacemakers
C. Mild muscle soreness
D. Tendonitis
Rationale: Ultrasound may interfere with implanted devices or
heat metal, creating risk.
13. The main purpose of the Berg Balance Scale is to:
A. Assess cardiovascular fitness
B. Evaluate balance and fall risk
C. Measure muscle strength
D. Determine range of motion
Rationale: The Berg Balance Scale includes functional tasks to
assess balance.
Practice Exam Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. The primary goal of physical therapy is to:
A. Prescribe medication for pain
B. Restore and maintain optimal physical function
C. Perform surgical interventions
D. Diagnose psychological disorders
Rationale: Physical therapists focus on improving movement,
function, and quality of life through non-invasive interventions.
2. Which of the following is a contraindication for passive range of
motion exercises?
A. Mild muscle stiffness
B. Recent fracture with unstable fixation
C. Joint contracture
D. Postoperative healing under supervision
Rationale: Passive ROM should not be applied to unstable
fractures as it may cause further injury.
3. The best approach to manage a patient with chronic low back pain
includes:
A. Complete bed rest
B. Exercise therapy and patient education
, C. Immediate surgery
D. Long-term opioid use
Rationale: Evidence supports exercise and education as first-line
management for chronic low back pain.
4. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when the muscle
lengthens under load?
A. Isometric
B. Eccentric
C. Concentric
D. Isokinetic
Rationale: Eccentric contractions involve lengthening of the muscle
while generating force.
5. In physical therapy, the term “modalities” refers to:
A. Psychological counseling
B. Therapeutic physical agents such as heat, cold, and ultrasound
C. Surgery techniques
D. Nutritional interventions
Rationale: Modalities are non-exercise treatments used to reduce
pain or facilitate tissue healing.
6. What is the primary purpose of proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation (PNF) techniques?
A. Improve cardiovascular endurance
B. Enhance neuromuscular control and flexibility
C. Increase bone density
D. Treat infections
Rationale: PNF uses specific patterns to improve muscle strength,
coordination, and range of motion.
,7. Which of the following best describes open-chain exercises?
A. Exercises where the distal segment is fixed
B. Exercises where the distal segment moves freely
C. Exercises performed in water
D. Exercises using isometric contractions only
Rationale: Open-chain exercises allow the limb to move freely, as
opposed to closed-chain exercises.
8. A patient presents with left-sided hemiplegia after a stroke. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Bed rest for 2 weeks
B. Task-specific functional training and gait training
C. Immediate passive stretching only
D. Full immobilization of the affected limb
Rationale: Early, task-oriented interventions improve functional
recovery in stroke patients.
9. In documentation, SOAP stands for:
A. Strength, Observation, Assessment, Plan
B. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
C. Surgery, Observation, Analysis, Prescription
D. Structure, Output, Action, Progress
Rationale: SOAP is the standard framework for clinical notes in
physical therapy.
10. Which assessment tool is commonly used to measure
functional mobility in older adults?
A. Visual Analog Scale
B. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test
C. MRI
, D. Electromyography
Rationale: The TUG test evaluates balance and mobility in older
adults and predicts fall risk.
11. Which exercise is most appropriate for improving hip
abductor strength?
A. Seated knee extension
B. Side-lying leg raises
C. Biceps curl
D. Seated calf raises
Rationale: Side-lying leg raises target the hip abductor muscles
effectively.
12. Which of the following is considered a precaution for using
ultrasound therapy?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Over metal implants or pacemakers
C. Mild muscle soreness
D. Tendonitis
Rationale: Ultrasound may interfere with implanted devices or
heat metal, creating risk.
13. The main purpose of the Berg Balance Scale is to:
A. Assess cardiovascular fitness
B. Evaluate balance and fall risk
C. Measure muscle strength
D. Determine range of motion
Rationale: The Berg Balance Scale includes functional tasks to
assess balance.
