NPTE EXAM Q&A
*3) FPB*
(The FPB is tested with pressure applied to the palmar surface of the proximal phalanx
of the first digit in the direction of extension.) - Answer-A physical therapist performs a
manual muscle test as depicted in the image. The therapist is *MOST* likely testing the:
1) EPB
2) EPL
3) FPB
4) FPL
*4) Decreased blood traveling to the brain*
(Atrial flutter is a common abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid atrial
tachycardia. This rapid rate creates decreased filling time of the ventricles resulting in
diminished amount of blood being ejected from the heart. This form of arrhythmia
produces saw-tooth shaped P-waves. Atrial flutter results in decreased blood traveling
to the brain as well as other areas of the body. As a result, vital organs such as the
heart mm's and brain may not receive enough blood causing mild symptoms (ex:
palpitations, lightheadedness, weakness) or more serious symptoms (ex: fainting,
angina, organ failure).) - Answer-A patient with atrial flutter suddenly becomes
extremely lightheaded while exercising and appears to loose consciousness. Which
scenario would *BEST* explain the change in the patient's status?
1) Increased filling of the ventricles
2) Increased system congestion
3) Decreased atrial depolarization
4) Decreased blood traveling to the brain
*4) 145° of elbow flexion*
(The Modified Ashworth Scale is a widely used qualitative scale for the assessment of
spasticity; it measures the amount of resistance to passive stretch. The Modified
Ashworth Scale has a minimum grade of 0 and a maximum grade of 4. Since the tool
measures the amount of resistance to passive stretch, the elbow would initially be in a
fully flexed position and moved toward a fully extended position when testing the elbow
flexors. 145° of elbow flex closely approximates normal full elbow flex (150°). The
position provides the therapist with the best opportunity to assess the amount of
resistance of the elbow flexors to passive stretch while the elbow is extended.) -
Answer-A physical therapist administers the Modified Ashworth Scale to a patient with a
suspected neurological injury. The *MOST* accurate description of the starting position
when testing the elbow flexors is:
,1) Full extension of the elbow
2) 45° of elbow flexion
3) 90° of elbow flexion
4) 145° of elbow flexion
*3) Soleus*
(Think about the action being performed. The knee is already flexed when the heels
begin to rise, meaning the 2-jt gastroc has already been taken out of the equation and
leaving the soleus as the culprit. The soleus is a 1-jt mm that PF the ankle jt. Lifting the
heels from the floor is a common substitution that allows the patient to deepen the squat
w/out utilizing additional ankle DF.) - Answer-A physical therapist observes a patient
complete a standing squat. During the lowering portion of the squat, the therapist notes
that the patient is unable to maintain their heels in contact with the grounds. This finding
is *MOST* likely due to shortness of the:
1) Gastroc
2) Popliteus
3) Soleus
4) Tibialias anterior
*1) Antithrobotic agents*
(Dopamine, nitrates, and positive inotropic agents affect blood transport in the body.
Nitrates dilate arteries & positive inotropic drugs increase the force of contraction of the
heart. Dopamine ends up creating positive inotropic effects on the heart as well. If the
dose is not set properly or the patient has an adverse reaction to these drugs,
dizziness/lightheadedness can be a symptom. *Positively inotropic agents increase the
strength of muscular contraction*. )
Antitrhobotic drugs seek to break up blood clots, so side effects of these meds would
include symptoms more like uncontrolled bleeding. - Answer-A physical therapist notes
the tendency of a patient to become dizzy and lightheaded with any positional change
after starting a new medication. Which pharmacological agent would be *LEAST* likely
to produce the described side effects?
1) Antithrobotic agents
2) Dopamine replacement agents
3) Nitrate agents
4) Positive inotropic agents
*1) Striking two blocks together*
(Grasp & object manipulation is a significant process in exploratory motor control.
Striking 2 blocks is more complex than the other actions in which only one object is
being manipulated.) - Answer-A physical therapist evaluating an infant observes the
, infant manipulating an object. Which observation demonstrates the *MOST* advanced
volitional movement?
1) Striking two blocks together
2) Holding an object in one hand and banging it with the other
3) Rotation of a held object while in the hand
4) Shaking of a held object
*3) Laxative agents*
(Anticholinergic agents treat GI incontinence probs like diarrhea; antacids treat
symptoms of indigestion, & proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid production.
Basically the laxative is the only one that may inhibit pt participation in exercise b/c pt
may poop their pants. All the other meds have the opposite effect. Diff bet stimulating
and inhibiting PNS functions.) - Answer-A patient being treated in an outpatient physical
therapy program indicates that they will not be able to participate in their typical exercise
program due to the medication they are taking. Which pharmacological agent would
*MOST* likely be associated with this scenario?
1) Antacid agents
2) Anticholinergic agents
3) Laxative agents
4) Proton pump inhibitor agents
*2) Mucolytic agents*
(Patients recovering from pneumonia often present with viscous mucus secretions that
inhibit proper lung functioning. Mucolytic agents make the mucus (sputum) less thick
and sticky and easier to cough up. This works to improve lung function.) - Answer-A
patient recovering from pneumonia is prescribed a pharmacological agent administered
with a nebulizer. Which pharmacological agent was *MOST* likely utilized?
1) Calcium channel blocker agents
2) Mucolytic agents
3) Nitrate agents
4) Sedative hypnotic agents
*3) Measuring from the greater trochanter straight to the floor*
(The straight cane can be used with a variety of gait patterns, but *does not permit
partial weight bearing*. The patient should have *20-25 degrees of elbow flexion* while
grasping the handgrip. A straight cane provides minimal support and is used primarily
for assisting with balance.) - Answer-A physical therapist measures a patient for a
straight cane prior to beginning ambulation activities. Which gross measurement
method would provide the *BEST* estimate of cane length?
*3) FPB*
(The FPB is tested with pressure applied to the palmar surface of the proximal phalanx
of the first digit in the direction of extension.) - Answer-A physical therapist performs a
manual muscle test as depicted in the image. The therapist is *MOST* likely testing the:
1) EPB
2) EPL
3) FPB
4) FPL
*4) Decreased blood traveling to the brain*
(Atrial flutter is a common abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid atrial
tachycardia. This rapid rate creates decreased filling time of the ventricles resulting in
diminished amount of blood being ejected from the heart. This form of arrhythmia
produces saw-tooth shaped P-waves. Atrial flutter results in decreased blood traveling
to the brain as well as other areas of the body. As a result, vital organs such as the
heart mm's and brain may not receive enough blood causing mild symptoms (ex:
palpitations, lightheadedness, weakness) or more serious symptoms (ex: fainting,
angina, organ failure).) - Answer-A patient with atrial flutter suddenly becomes
extremely lightheaded while exercising and appears to loose consciousness. Which
scenario would *BEST* explain the change in the patient's status?
1) Increased filling of the ventricles
2) Increased system congestion
3) Decreased atrial depolarization
4) Decreased blood traveling to the brain
*4) 145° of elbow flexion*
(The Modified Ashworth Scale is a widely used qualitative scale for the assessment of
spasticity; it measures the amount of resistance to passive stretch. The Modified
Ashworth Scale has a minimum grade of 0 and a maximum grade of 4. Since the tool
measures the amount of resistance to passive stretch, the elbow would initially be in a
fully flexed position and moved toward a fully extended position when testing the elbow
flexors. 145° of elbow flex closely approximates normal full elbow flex (150°). The
position provides the therapist with the best opportunity to assess the amount of
resistance of the elbow flexors to passive stretch while the elbow is extended.) -
Answer-A physical therapist administers the Modified Ashworth Scale to a patient with a
suspected neurological injury. The *MOST* accurate description of the starting position
when testing the elbow flexors is:
,1) Full extension of the elbow
2) 45° of elbow flexion
3) 90° of elbow flexion
4) 145° of elbow flexion
*3) Soleus*
(Think about the action being performed. The knee is already flexed when the heels
begin to rise, meaning the 2-jt gastroc has already been taken out of the equation and
leaving the soleus as the culprit. The soleus is a 1-jt mm that PF the ankle jt. Lifting the
heels from the floor is a common substitution that allows the patient to deepen the squat
w/out utilizing additional ankle DF.) - Answer-A physical therapist observes a patient
complete a standing squat. During the lowering portion of the squat, the therapist notes
that the patient is unable to maintain their heels in contact with the grounds. This finding
is *MOST* likely due to shortness of the:
1) Gastroc
2) Popliteus
3) Soleus
4) Tibialias anterior
*1) Antithrobotic agents*
(Dopamine, nitrates, and positive inotropic agents affect blood transport in the body.
Nitrates dilate arteries & positive inotropic drugs increase the force of contraction of the
heart. Dopamine ends up creating positive inotropic effects on the heart as well. If the
dose is not set properly or the patient has an adverse reaction to these drugs,
dizziness/lightheadedness can be a symptom. *Positively inotropic agents increase the
strength of muscular contraction*. )
Antitrhobotic drugs seek to break up blood clots, so side effects of these meds would
include symptoms more like uncontrolled bleeding. - Answer-A physical therapist notes
the tendency of a patient to become dizzy and lightheaded with any positional change
after starting a new medication. Which pharmacological agent would be *LEAST* likely
to produce the described side effects?
1) Antithrobotic agents
2) Dopamine replacement agents
3) Nitrate agents
4) Positive inotropic agents
*1) Striking two blocks together*
(Grasp & object manipulation is a significant process in exploratory motor control.
Striking 2 blocks is more complex than the other actions in which only one object is
being manipulated.) - Answer-A physical therapist evaluating an infant observes the
, infant manipulating an object. Which observation demonstrates the *MOST* advanced
volitional movement?
1) Striking two blocks together
2) Holding an object in one hand and banging it with the other
3) Rotation of a held object while in the hand
4) Shaking of a held object
*3) Laxative agents*
(Anticholinergic agents treat GI incontinence probs like diarrhea; antacids treat
symptoms of indigestion, & proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid production.
Basically the laxative is the only one that may inhibit pt participation in exercise b/c pt
may poop their pants. All the other meds have the opposite effect. Diff bet stimulating
and inhibiting PNS functions.) - Answer-A patient being treated in an outpatient physical
therapy program indicates that they will not be able to participate in their typical exercise
program due to the medication they are taking. Which pharmacological agent would
*MOST* likely be associated with this scenario?
1) Antacid agents
2) Anticholinergic agents
3) Laxative agents
4) Proton pump inhibitor agents
*2) Mucolytic agents*
(Patients recovering from pneumonia often present with viscous mucus secretions that
inhibit proper lung functioning. Mucolytic agents make the mucus (sputum) less thick
and sticky and easier to cough up. This works to improve lung function.) - Answer-A
patient recovering from pneumonia is prescribed a pharmacological agent administered
with a nebulizer. Which pharmacological agent was *MOST* likely utilized?
1) Calcium channel blocker agents
2) Mucolytic agents
3) Nitrate agents
4) Sedative hypnotic agents
*3) Measuring from the greater trochanter straight to the floor*
(The straight cane can be used with a variety of gait patterns, but *does not permit
partial weight bearing*. The patient should have *20-25 degrees of elbow flexion* while
grasping the handgrip. A straight cane provides minimal support and is used primarily
for assisting with balance.) - Answer-A physical therapist measures a patient for a
straight cane prior to beginning ambulation activities. Which gross measurement
method would provide the *BEST* estimate of cane length?
