Utah Physical Therapist Licensing Exam Practice
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026/2027 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. Which of the following muscles is primarily responsible for hip abduction?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Adductor longus
D. Iliopsoas
Answer & Rationale: B. Gluteus medius – It stabilizes the pelvis during single-leg stance
and abducts the hip.
2. The most appropriate test for diagnosing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is:
A. McMurray test
B. Lachman test
C. Thompson test
D. Hawkins-Kennedy test
Answer & Rationale: B. Lachman test – Sensitive and specific for detecting ACL
insufficiency.
3. Which nerve is commonly affected in carpal tunnel syndrome?
A. Radial nerve
B. Median nerve
C. Ulnar nerve
D. Axillary nerve
Answer & Rationale: B. Median nerve – Compression within the carpal tunnel leads to
sensory and motor deficits in its distribution.
4. Which physical therapy intervention is most appropriate for chronic low back pain with
limited lumbar flexion?
A. Core stabilization exercises
B. Passive traction
C. Ultrasound only
D. Electrical stimulation
Answer & Rationale: A. Core stabilization – Strengthening core muscles supports spinal
stability and improves functional mobility.
5. The best functional outcome measure for a patient post-stroke is:
A. Barthel Index
, B. Visual Analog Scale
C. Berg Balance Scale
D. McGill Pain Questionnaire
Answer & Rationale: A. Barthel Index – Measures independence in activities of daily living
after neurologic injury.
6. Which of the following is the primary muscle tested during a manual muscle test for
plantarflexion?
A. Tibialis anterior
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Soleus
D. Peroneus longus
Answer & Rationale: B. Gastrocnemius – Strong plantarflexor of the ankle, assessed in
prone or standing positions.
7. Which type of exercise is most appropriate for increasing joint range of motion in a stiff
shoulder?
A. Active-assisted range of motion
B. Strengthening exercises only
C. Plyometric exercises
D. High-intensity resistance training
Answer & Rationale: A. Active-assisted ROM – Helps maintain or improve motion without
overstressing tissues.
8. The most sensitive test for detecting a meniscal tear is:
A. McMurray test
B. Anterior drawer test
C. Lachman test
D. Patellar apprehension test
Answer & Rationale: A. McMurray test – Detects medial and lateral meniscal injuries
through joint rotation and palpation.
9. Which of the following interventions is most effective for reducing edema in an acute
ankle sprain?
A. RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
B. Ultrasound therapy
C. TENS
D. Heat therapy
Answer & Rationale: A. RICE – Standard first-line treatment for acute soft tissue injuries.
, 10. Which of the following is a contraindication to aggressive stretching in physical therapy?
A. Recent fracture
B. Mild joint stiffness
C. Decreased flexibility
D. Muscle tightness
Answer & Rationale: A. Recent fracture – Stretching could disrupt bone healing and
compromise structural integrity.
11. Which of the following muscles is the primary hip extensor?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Iliopsoas
D. Rectus femoris
Answer & Rationale: A. Gluteus maximus – Provides strong hip extension during rising
from a chair or climbing stairs.
12. Which intervention is best for improving proprioception after ankle sprain?
A. Balance training on unstable surfaces
B. Passive stretching
C. Heat application
D. Cryotherapy
Answer & Rationale: A. Balance training – Enhances neuromuscular control and reduces
risk of recurrent injury.
13. Which of the following is a common complication of prolonged immobilization after a
fracture?
A. Joint contracture
B. Muscle hypertrophy
C. Increased bone density
D. Hyperflexibility
Answer & Rationale: A. Joint contracture – Reduced mobility leads to shortening of
muscles and connective tissue.
14. The best test to assess shoulder impingement syndrome is:
A. Hawkins-Kennedy test
B. Spurling test
C. Tinel’s sign
D. McMurray test
Answer & Rationale: A. Hawkins-Kennedy – Provocative test for impingement of the
rotator cuff tendons.
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026/2027 Q&A| Instant Download
1. Which of the following muscles is primarily responsible for hip abduction?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Adductor longus
D. Iliopsoas
Answer & Rationale: B. Gluteus medius – It stabilizes the pelvis during single-leg stance
and abducts the hip.
2. The most appropriate test for diagnosing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is:
A. McMurray test
B. Lachman test
C. Thompson test
D. Hawkins-Kennedy test
Answer & Rationale: B. Lachman test – Sensitive and specific for detecting ACL
insufficiency.
3. Which nerve is commonly affected in carpal tunnel syndrome?
A. Radial nerve
B. Median nerve
C. Ulnar nerve
D. Axillary nerve
Answer & Rationale: B. Median nerve – Compression within the carpal tunnel leads to
sensory and motor deficits in its distribution.
4. Which physical therapy intervention is most appropriate for chronic low back pain with
limited lumbar flexion?
A. Core stabilization exercises
B. Passive traction
C. Ultrasound only
D. Electrical stimulation
Answer & Rationale: A. Core stabilization – Strengthening core muscles supports spinal
stability and improves functional mobility.
5. The best functional outcome measure for a patient post-stroke is:
A. Barthel Index
, B. Visual Analog Scale
C. Berg Balance Scale
D. McGill Pain Questionnaire
Answer & Rationale: A. Barthel Index – Measures independence in activities of daily living
after neurologic injury.
6. Which of the following is the primary muscle tested during a manual muscle test for
plantarflexion?
A. Tibialis anterior
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Soleus
D. Peroneus longus
Answer & Rationale: B. Gastrocnemius – Strong plantarflexor of the ankle, assessed in
prone or standing positions.
7. Which type of exercise is most appropriate for increasing joint range of motion in a stiff
shoulder?
A. Active-assisted range of motion
B. Strengthening exercises only
C. Plyometric exercises
D. High-intensity resistance training
Answer & Rationale: A. Active-assisted ROM – Helps maintain or improve motion without
overstressing tissues.
8. The most sensitive test for detecting a meniscal tear is:
A. McMurray test
B. Anterior drawer test
C. Lachman test
D. Patellar apprehension test
Answer & Rationale: A. McMurray test – Detects medial and lateral meniscal injuries
through joint rotation and palpation.
9. Which of the following interventions is most effective for reducing edema in an acute
ankle sprain?
A. RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
B. Ultrasound therapy
C. TENS
D. Heat therapy
Answer & Rationale: A. RICE – Standard first-line treatment for acute soft tissue injuries.
, 10. Which of the following is a contraindication to aggressive stretching in physical therapy?
A. Recent fracture
B. Mild joint stiffness
C. Decreased flexibility
D. Muscle tightness
Answer & Rationale: A. Recent fracture – Stretching could disrupt bone healing and
compromise structural integrity.
11. Which of the following muscles is the primary hip extensor?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Iliopsoas
D. Rectus femoris
Answer & Rationale: A. Gluteus maximus – Provides strong hip extension during rising
from a chair or climbing stairs.
12. Which intervention is best for improving proprioception after ankle sprain?
A. Balance training on unstable surfaces
B. Passive stretching
C. Heat application
D. Cryotherapy
Answer & Rationale: A. Balance training – Enhances neuromuscular control and reduces
risk of recurrent injury.
13. Which of the following is a common complication of prolonged immobilization after a
fracture?
A. Joint contracture
B. Muscle hypertrophy
C. Increased bone density
D. Hyperflexibility
Answer & Rationale: A. Joint contracture – Reduced mobility leads to shortening of
muscles and connective tissue.
14. The best test to assess shoulder impingement syndrome is:
A. Hawkins-Kennedy test
B. Spurling test
C. Tinel’s sign
D. McMurray test
Answer & Rationale: A. Hawkins-Kennedy – Provocative test for impingement of the
rotator cuff tendons.
