NPTE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What is a good intervention for a PSIS that is low on the left and ASIS that is high on
the left? - Answer-Stretch the left hip extensors in order to fix posterior rotated
innominate.
Patient has right hip pain and a drop of the left hip during gait. Which nerve is most
likely impaired? - Answer-Right superior gluteal nerve - innervates glute med
What is a good intervention for a patient who has left hip drop during gait?
(Trendelenburg) - Answer-Stand on right leg and abduct left leg
A baseball player has insufficient deceleration of the shoulder during throwing. Which
strengthening technique is best? - Answer-Eccentric exercises to teres minor and
infraspinatus - external rotators
Hamstrings contract eccentrically during which phase of gait? - Answer-Terminal swing
In order to increase forearm supination, what mobilization should be performed at the
proximal radioulnar joint? - Answer-Anterior glide
In order to unlock the knee from terminal extension in closed chain, what must occur? -
Answer-External rotation of femur on the tibia
Excessive upward rotation of the left scapula was noticed as a patient was abducting
the shoulder. What most likely contributed to this excess upward rotation? - Answer-
Weakness of rhomboid major and minor - these downward rotators should prevent too
much upward rotation
A patient has increased hip flexion with knee flexion compared to with knee extension.
What is most likely the cause of reduced hip flexion with the knee extended? - Answer-
Passive insufficiency of hamstrings OR active insufficiency of the quads
Patient had a RTC repair 6 days ago and the PT wants to begin PROM. What position
is most appropriate? - Answer-Supine with arm abducted to 45 degrees and slight
flexion
19 yo female comes to PT with worsening pain during swimming season. She
complains of dullness and heaviness in shoulder with prolonged activity. Tests 7/9 on
the beighton score test. What is the best initial treatment? - Answer-Light,
multidirectional perturbations of arm with arm held at 90 degrees flexion in supine - in
order to increase shoulder stability
, 7 yo patient comes to PT with hip pain. PT notices antalgic gait on LLE and shortened
step length on RLE. Mom reports that symptoms and pain increase after activity and
have been present for 2 weeks. What diagnosis is most likely? - Answer-Legg Calve
Perthes - usually will have decreased extension and happens at younger age
7 yo patient comes in with complains of groin pain that radiates to the medial thigh. Has
decreased hip abduction and IR. What is the most appropriate intervention for this
patient? - Answer-Improve femoral head containment with scottish brace - thinking legg
calve perthes
Which does not increase risk for hip fracture? - Answer-Intense physical activity in
elderly women - this is good for them
What is a cause and a treatment for early toe off during gait? - Answer-Hip flexion
contracture, and prolonged stretch
Patient has a backwards lean during L stance phase. What is most likely the cause? -
Answer-Weak L hip extensors
Patient has a backwards lean during swing phase of gait. What is most likely the cause?
- Answer-Weak hip flexors
Patient lacks 10 degrees of active and passive dorsiflexion that is not changed with
knee flexion or extension. What muscle is most likely contributing? - Answer-Soleus
PT is teaching a patient gait training with a cane for a patient with L THA
posterior/lateral approach. What should the PT instruct to the patient? - Answer-Hold
the cane in R hand in order to decrease stress on L hip abductors.
Patient has excessive plantar flexion with anterior tilt at the pelvis. What is the most
likely correlated motion at the knee? - Answer-Hyperextension
Patient has R transfemoral amputation and has excessive plantar flexion at heel strike.
What could be the possible cause for foot slap? - Answer-Plantarflexion bumper is too
soft
A patient with a transfemoral amputation is unable to wear total contact orthotic for the
past 4 days. Patient reports shooting pain at the end of the distal residual limb but there
is no erythema present. What could be the cause? - Answer-Neuroma
To prevent contracture after a transfemoral amputation, emphasis should be placed on
maintaining what motions? - Answer-Extension and adduction - common to get
contractures in flexion and abduction
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What is a good intervention for a PSIS that is low on the left and ASIS that is high on
the left? - Answer-Stretch the left hip extensors in order to fix posterior rotated
innominate.
Patient has right hip pain and a drop of the left hip during gait. Which nerve is most
likely impaired? - Answer-Right superior gluteal nerve - innervates glute med
What is a good intervention for a patient who has left hip drop during gait?
(Trendelenburg) - Answer-Stand on right leg and abduct left leg
A baseball player has insufficient deceleration of the shoulder during throwing. Which
strengthening technique is best? - Answer-Eccentric exercises to teres minor and
infraspinatus - external rotators
Hamstrings contract eccentrically during which phase of gait? - Answer-Terminal swing
In order to increase forearm supination, what mobilization should be performed at the
proximal radioulnar joint? - Answer-Anterior glide
In order to unlock the knee from terminal extension in closed chain, what must occur? -
Answer-External rotation of femur on the tibia
Excessive upward rotation of the left scapula was noticed as a patient was abducting
the shoulder. What most likely contributed to this excess upward rotation? - Answer-
Weakness of rhomboid major and minor - these downward rotators should prevent too
much upward rotation
A patient has increased hip flexion with knee flexion compared to with knee extension.
What is most likely the cause of reduced hip flexion with the knee extended? - Answer-
Passive insufficiency of hamstrings OR active insufficiency of the quads
Patient had a RTC repair 6 days ago and the PT wants to begin PROM. What position
is most appropriate? - Answer-Supine with arm abducted to 45 degrees and slight
flexion
19 yo female comes to PT with worsening pain during swimming season. She
complains of dullness and heaviness in shoulder with prolonged activity. Tests 7/9 on
the beighton score test. What is the best initial treatment? - Answer-Light,
multidirectional perturbations of arm with arm held at 90 degrees flexion in supine - in
order to increase shoulder stability
, 7 yo patient comes to PT with hip pain. PT notices antalgic gait on LLE and shortened
step length on RLE. Mom reports that symptoms and pain increase after activity and
have been present for 2 weeks. What diagnosis is most likely? - Answer-Legg Calve
Perthes - usually will have decreased extension and happens at younger age
7 yo patient comes in with complains of groin pain that radiates to the medial thigh. Has
decreased hip abduction and IR. What is the most appropriate intervention for this
patient? - Answer-Improve femoral head containment with scottish brace - thinking legg
calve perthes
Which does not increase risk for hip fracture? - Answer-Intense physical activity in
elderly women - this is good for them
What is a cause and a treatment for early toe off during gait? - Answer-Hip flexion
contracture, and prolonged stretch
Patient has a backwards lean during L stance phase. What is most likely the cause? -
Answer-Weak L hip extensors
Patient has a backwards lean during swing phase of gait. What is most likely the cause?
- Answer-Weak hip flexors
Patient lacks 10 degrees of active and passive dorsiflexion that is not changed with
knee flexion or extension. What muscle is most likely contributing? - Answer-Soleus
PT is teaching a patient gait training with a cane for a patient with L THA
posterior/lateral approach. What should the PT instruct to the patient? - Answer-Hold
the cane in R hand in order to decrease stress on L hip abductors.
Patient has excessive plantar flexion with anterior tilt at the pelvis. What is the most
likely correlated motion at the knee? - Answer-Hyperextension
Patient has R transfemoral amputation and has excessive plantar flexion at heel strike.
What could be the possible cause for foot slap? - Answer-Plantarflexion bumper is too
soft
A patient with a transfemoral amputation is unable to wear total contact orthotic for the
past 4 days. Patient reports shooting pain at the end of the distal residual limb but there
is no erythema present. What could be the cause? - Answer-Neuroma
To prevent contracture after a transfemoral amputation, emphasis should be placed on
maintaining what motions? - Answer-Extension and adduction - common to get
contractures in flexion and abduction
