NBCE PT BOARDS EXAM – COMPLETE PRACTICE TEST BANK National Board of Chiropractic
Examiners – Physiotherapy Section Verified Questions with Answers & Detailed Clinical
Rationales | Updated 2026 | A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| 1 | Exam Overview & Test Plan | — |
| 2 | Thermal Modalities – Cryotherapy, Thermotherapy, Ultrasound, Diathermy | Questions 1–
40 |
| 3 | Electrotherapy – Galvanism, Interferential, TENS, HVPC, Russian Stimulation, Iontophoresis
| Questions 41–80 |
| 4 | Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation – Exercise Progression, Stabilization, Strengthening |
Questions 81–120 |
| 5 | Orthopedic & Special Testing – Orthopedic and Neurological Assessment | Questions 121–
160 |
| 6 | Traction & Mechanical Therapy – Spinal Traction, Intersegmental Traction | Questions 161–
180 |
| 7 | Wound Care & Integumentary – Wound Healing, Infection Management, UV Therapy |
Questions 181–200 |
| 8 | Neuromuscular & Musculoskeletal Conditions | Questions 201–230 |
| 9 | Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | Questions 231–250 |
| 10 | Patient Management, Documentation & Professional Issues | Questions 251–270 |
| 11 | Clinical Reasoning, Safety, Contraindications & Precautions | Questions 271–300 |
---
,EXAM OVERVIEW
| Feature | Details |
|---------|---------|
| Exam | NBCE Physiotherapy (PT) Board Examination |
| Administering Body | National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) |
| Format | Multiple Choice, Clinical Scenarios |
| Eligibility | 120 hours of PT coursework completion |
| Delivery | Computerized testing |
Test Plan Weightings
| Content Area | Weight |
|--------------|--------|
| Thermotherapy | 10–11% |
| Electrotherapy | 10–11% |
| Mechanotherapy (Traction, Massage, Bracing) | 10% |
| Phototherapy | 5–7% |
| Functional Assessment | 10–11% |
| Exercise Physiology | 7–8% |
| Endurance Training | 8% |
| Muscle Rehabilitation | 11% |
| Neuromuscular Rehabilitation | Included |
| Disorder-Specific Rehabilitation | Included |
Core Domains Covered
,1. Thermal Modalities – Cryotherapy, Thermotherapy, Ultrasound, Diathermy, Infrared, UV
2. Electrotherapy – Galvanism, Sinusoidal, Interferential, TENS, HVPC, Russian Stimulation
3. Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation – Exercise progression, stabilization, strengthening
protocols, open/closed chain
4. Special Tests & Orthopedic Assessment – Orthopedic and neurological testing
5. Traction & Mechanical Therapy – Spinal traction, intersegmental traction, contraindications
6. Wound Care & Integumentary – Ultraviolet therapy, wound healing, infection management
7. Clinical Reasoning & Safety – Contraindications, precautions, patient management, scope of
practice
8. Physical Examination & Diagnosis
9. Neuromuscular & Musculoskeletal Conditions
10. Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
11. Orthotics & Prosthetics
12. Patient Management & Documentation
13. Ethics & Professional Standards
---
SECTION 1: THERMAL MODALITIES – CRYOTHERAPY, THERMOTHERAPY, ULTRASOUND,
DIATHERMY
Questions 1–40
---
Question 1
, Which of the following is a contraindication to ALL physical therapy modalities?
A) Contracture
B) Scar tissue
C) Impaired circulation
D) Post-fracture stiffness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Impaired circulation is a contraindication for many physical therapy modalities,
including paraffin wax therapy. Patients with impaired circulation cannot adequately dissipate
heat, increasing the risk of burns. Contracture, scar tissue, and post-fracture stiffness are
indications for treatment, not contraindications.
---
Question 2
What is the primary physiological effect of cryotherapy (ice application)?
A) Vasodilation and increased blood flow
B) Vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow
C) Increased cellular metabolism
D) Decreased tissue viscosity
Correct Answer: B
Examiners – Physiotherapy Section Verified Questions with Answers & Detailed Clinical
Rationales | Updated 2026 | A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| 1 | Exam Overview & Test Plan | — |
| 2 | Thermal Modalities – Cryotherapy, Thermotherapy, Ultrasound, Diathermy | Questions 1–
40 |
| 3 | Electrotherapy – Galvanism, Interferential, TENS, HVPC, Russian Stimulation, Iontophoresis
| Questions 41–80 |
| 4 | Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation – Exercise Progression, Stabilization, Strengthening |
Questions 81–120 |
| 5 | Orthopedic & Special Testing – Orthopedic and Neurological Assessment | Questions 121–
160 |
| 6 | Traction & Mechanical Therapy – Spinal Traction, Intersegmental Traction | Questions 161–
180 |
| 7 | Wound Care & Integumentary – Wound Healing, Infection Management, UV Therapy |
Questions 181–200 |
| 8 | Neuromuscular & Musculoskeletal Conditions | Questions 201–230 |
| 9 | Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | Questions 231–250 |
| 10 | Patient Management, Documentation & Professional Issues | Questions 251–270 |
| 11 | Clinical Reasoning, Safety, Contraindications & Precautions | Questions 271–300 |
---
,EXAM OVERVIEW
| Feature | Details |
|---------|---------|
| Exam | NBCE Physiotherapy (PT) Board Examination |
| Administering Body | National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) |
| Format | Multiple Choice, Clinical Scenarios |
| Eligibility | 120 hours of PT coursework completion |
| Delivery | Computerized testing |
Test Plan Weightings
| Content Area | Weight |
|--------------|--------|
| Thermotherapy | 10–11% |
| Electrotherapy | 10–11% |
| Mechanotherapy (Traction, Massage, Bracing) | 10% |
| Phototherapy | 5–7% |
| Functional Assessment | 10–11% |
| Exercise Physiology | 7–8% |
| Endurance Training | 8% |
| Muscle Rehabilitation | 11% |
| Neuromuscular Rehabilitation | Included |
| Disorder-Specific Rehabilitation | Included |
Core Domains Covered
,1. Thermal Modalities – Cryotherapy, Thermotherapy, Ultrasound, Diathermy, Infrared, UV
2. Electrotherapy – Galvanism, Sinusoidal, Interferential, TENS, HVPC, Russian Stimulation
3. Therapeutic Exercise & Rehabilitation – Exercise progression, stabilization, strengthening
protocols, open/closed chain
4. Special Tests & Orthopedic Assessment – Orthopedic and neurological testing
5. Traction & Mechanical Therapy – Spinal traction, intersegmental traction, contraindications
6. Wound Care & Integumentary – Ultraviolet therapy, wound healing, infection management
7. Clinical Reasoning & Safety – Contraindications, precautions, patient management, scope of
practice
8. Physical Examination & Diagnosis
9. Neuromuscular & Musculoskeletal Conditions
10. Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
11. Orthotics & Prosthetics
12. Patient Management & Documentation
13. Ethics & Professional Standards
---
SECTION 1: THERMAL MODALITIES – CRYOTHERAPY, THERMOTHERAPY, ULTRASOUND,
DIATHERMY
Questions 1–40
---
Question 1
, Which of the following is a contraindication to ALL physical therapy modalities?
A) Contracture
B) Scar tissue
C) Impaired circulation
D) Post-fracture stiffness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Impaired circulation is a contraindication for many physical therapy modalities,
including paraffin wax therapy. Patients with impaired circulation cannot adequately dissipate
heat, increasing the risk of burns. Contracture, scar tissue, and post-fracture stiffness are
indications for treatment, not contraindications.
---
Question 2
What is the primary physiological effect of cryotherapy (ice application)?
A) Vasodilation and increased blood flow
B) Vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow
C) Increased cellular metabolism
D) Decreased tissue viscosity
Correct Answer: B
