NPTE PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
A PT examines a patient complaining of tingling into the 4th and 5th
digits with muscle wasting over the hypothenar eminence. The PT
suspects ulnar neuropathy and decides to examine the integrity of
the nerve. Which of the following testing procedure would be the
BEST?
A. Have the patient flex both wrists while holding them for one minute
B. Have the patient make a fist around the thumb and perform ulnar
deviation
C. Have the patient grasp a piece of paper between their first and second
fingers while the examiner pulls the paper and monitors for first finger
D. Have the patient perform extension of the 3rd digit of the hand
against examiner resistance - Answer-C. Have the patient grasp a piece of paper
between their first and second
fingers while the examiner pulls the paper and monitors for first finger
A - Phalen's test to check integrity of Median Nerve
B - Finklestein's test to check for Dequervains Tenosynovitis
C - Froment's sign to test integrity of ulnar nerve since testing Adductor Pollicis
D - Maudsley test positive for tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
A 48 year old male patient reports of shortness of breath and swelling in lower
extremities. During the baseline examination, the PT examines patient's heart sounds
before starting an exercise program. Which valve is being auscultated in the picture?
A. Tricuspid Valve
B. Pulmonary Valve
C. Mitral Valve
D. Aortic Valve - Answer-C. Mitral Valve
Pneumonic: ALL PTS make $2245 per week !
"APTM 2245"
Aortic - 2nd IC Space Right Side
Pulmonary - 2nd IC Space Left Side
Tricuspid - 4th IC Space Left Side
Mitral - 5th IC Space Left Side
A low back pain patient's Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score was 18 points. 4
weeks later, the score is 50 points. Which of the following is the BEST option for the
physical therapist?
,A. Continue physical therapy until the patient returns to a score of 60
B. Discharge the patient as there is an improvement
C. Document the improvement and start home exercise program
D. Ask the patient to have a physician consult - Answer-D.
Higher the score the higher the disability/functional limitation
A 60 year old patient sustained a fall on an outstretched arm and hand (wrist in
extension). He says that when he fell "the elbow was straight and his hand was out
away from his body."
Three weeks later, the fracture is well healed now and he is not osteoporotic but
presents with wrist stiffness. As high PT what would you like to do to improve wrist
arthokinematics? - Answer-Extension ROM - Needs to be increased: Concave on
convex thus roll in one direction and glide in opposite direction. Will need to perform
anterior glide.
Flexion ROM - Needs to be increased: Will need to perform posterior glide.
A 44 year old female patient arrived at a clinic after sustaining a fall involved a
hand/wrist injury. Upon examination, the PT observed the radius dislocated in a volar
direction. Which of the following conditions would MOST likely match this direction.
A. Smith's fracture
B. Colle's fracture
C. Scaphoid fracture
D. Dinner fork deformity - Answer-A. Smith's fracture will have volar (palmar) dislocation
B. Colle's fracture will have a dorsal(back of hand) dislocation
C. Scaphoid fracture will have anatomical snuff box pain/discomfort
D. Seen with Colle's fractures that causes dorsal displacement of the fracture
Dinner Fork Deformity Pneumonic:
"NiCOLLE came over for dinner"
A PT is evaluating a 34-year old female patient with a vague diagnosis of low back pain.
The patient displays a positive Thomas test. Which sub phase of the gait cycle will
MOST likely show limitation in the hip ROM. - Answer-D. Hip flexors will be stretched in
this point in the cycle and will show the greatest limitation.
Terminal stance requires max hip extension. Patient will either present with anterior
trunk lean or excessive lumbar lordosis to compensate for limited hip extension due to
hip flexor contracture or tightness
,Which of the following is NOT an expected sign seen in a patient with facial nerve (CN
VII) palsy.
A. Hyperacusis
B. Absence of sensation in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
C. Absence of corneal reflex
D. Decreased lacrimation - Answer-B. Sensation is provided by CN 5 (trigeminal nerve).
Facial nerve is taste on anterior 2/3 of tongue.
A patient who is 3 months post right ankle fracture has an active range of motion of 0
degrees to 5 degrees of dorsiflexion and 0 degrees to 20 degrees of plantar flexion. To
restore motion required for normal dorsiflexion, which of the following joint mobilization
techniques the PT should perform?
A. Anterior glide of the talus
B. Lateral glide of the calcaneus
C. Medial glide of the calcaneus
D. Posterior glide of the talus - Answer-D. Roll anteriorly and glide posteriorly for DF
Roll posteriorly and glide anteriorly for PF
A PT is testing the active shoulder range of motion of a 45-year old female patient. The
PT asks the patient to move the shoulder to full medial/internal rotation. During medial
rotation at the GH joint, the humerus will slide:
A. Anteriorly
B. Superiorly
C. Inferiorly
D. Posteriorly - Answer-D. For IR the shoulder rolls anteriorly and glides posteriorly,
following the convex on concave rule
A patient demonstrated painful ROM in abduction movement during range of motion
examination of shoulder. Which of the following joint mobilization techniques is MOST
appropriate for the patient?
A. Large amplitude oscillation performed at the beginning of the range of motion in a
superior direction
B. Small amplitude oscillations into tissue resistance up to the limit of available motion
in a superior direction
C. Large amplitude oscillation within the available range of motion in an inferior direction
D. Small amplitude oscillations into tissue resistance at the limit of available joint motion
in an inferior direction - Answer-C.
Grade 1: SARO "beginning"
Grade 2: LARO "within"
Grade 3: LARO "up to the limit"
, Grade 4: SARO "at the limit"
A PT examination reveals PSIS is low on the left; ASIS is high on the left. Interventions
should MOST likely include:
A. Stretching the right hip flexors to correct right anterior rotated innominate
B. Stretching of the left hip flexors to correct left posterior rotated innominate
C. Stretching left hip extensors to correct left posterior rotated innominate
D. Strengthening of the right hip extensors to correct right posterior rotated inanimate -
Answer-C. Stretch to correct and obtain neutral innominate position
A 39 year old comes to an OP clinic complaining of hip problems. The PT notices a drop
of the left hip during right midstance. The MOST LIKELY cause of this impairment can
be injury of:
A. Right inferior gluteal nerve
B. Right femoral nerve
C. Right superior gluteal nerve
D. Right obturator nerve - Answer-C.
Superior gluteal nerve innervates gluteus medius
Left hip drop is due to weak right gluteus medius
A 39 year old comes to an OP complaining of hip problems. The PT notices a drop of
the left hip during right midstance. The MOST appropriate treatment for this impairment
would be:
A. Stand on right leg and abduct the left leg
B. Stand on left leg and extend the right leg
C. Stand on right leg and flex the right leg
D. Stand on left leg and flex the right leg - Answer-A. This exercise will target gluteus
muscle
After evaluation a baseball player, the PT concludes that there is insufficient
deceleration of the shoulder during throwing. Which of the following strengthening
techniques will be MOST effective in improving control of deceleration of the shoulder?
A. Eccentric exercise of the teres minor and infraspinatus
B. Eccentric exercises of the teres major and pectoralis minor
C. Concentric exercises of the teres minor and infraspinatus
D. Concentric exercises of the teres major and pectoralis major - Answer-A. Eccentric
assists with deceleration
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
A PT examines a patient complaining of tingling into the 4th and 5th
digits with muscle wasting over the hypothenar eminence. The PT
suspects ulnar neuropathy and decides to examine the integrity of
the nerve. Which of the following testing procedure would be the
BEST?
A. Have the patient flex both wrists while holding them for one minute
B. Have the patient make a fist around the thumb and perform ulnar
deviation
C. Have the patient grasp a piece of paper between their first and second
fingers while the examiner pulls the paper and monitors for first finger
D. Have the patient perform extension of the 3rd digit of the hand
against examiner resistance - Answer-C. Have the patient grasp a piece of paper
between their first and second
fingers while the examiner pulls the paper and monitors for first finger
A - Phalen's test to check integrity of Median Nerve
B - Finklestein's test to check for Dequervains Tenosynovitis
C - Froment's sign to test integrity of ulnar nerve since testing Adductor Pollicis
D - Maudsley test positive for tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
A 48 year old male patient reports of shortness of breath and swelling in lower
extremities. During the baseline examination, the PT examines patient's heart sounds
before starting an exercise program. Which valve is being auscultated in the picture?
A. Tricuspid Valve
B. Pulmonary Valve
C. Mitral Valve
D. Aortic Valve - Answer-C. Mitral Valve
Pneumonic: ALL PTS make $2245 per week !
"APTM 2245"
Aortic - 2nd IC Space Right Side
Pulmonary - 2nd IC Space Left Side
Tricuspid - 4th IC Space Left Side
Mitral - 5th IC Space Left Side
A low back pain patient's Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score was 18 points. 4
weeks later, the score is 50 points. Which of the following is the BEST option for the
physical therapist?
,A. Continue physical therapy until the patient returns to a score of 60
B. Discharge the patient as there is an improvement
C. Document the improvement and start home exercise program
D. Ask the patient to have a physician consult - Answer-D.
Higher the score the higher the disability/functional limitation
A 60 year old patient sustained a fall on an outstretched arm and hand (wrist in
extension). He says that when he fell "the elbow was straight and his hand was out
away from his body."
Three weeks later, the fracture is well healed now and he is not osteoporotic but
presents with wrist stiffness. As high PT what would you like to do to improve wrist
arthokinematics? - Answer-Extension ROM - Needs to be increased: Concave on
convex thus roll in one direction and glide in opposite direction. Will need to perform
anterior glide.
Flexion ROM - Needs to be increased: Will need to perform posterior glide.
A 44 year old female patient arrived at a clinic after sustaining a fall involved a
hand/wrist injury. Upon examination, the PT observed the radius dislocated in a volar
direction. Which of the following conditions would MOST likely match this direction.
A. Smith's fracture
B. Colle's fracture
C. Scaphoid fracture
D. Dinner fork deformity - Answer-A. Smith's fracture will have volar (palmar) dislocation
B. Colle's fracture will have a dorsal(back of hand) dislocation
C. Scaphoid fracture will have anatomical snuff box pain/discomfort
D. Seen with Colle's fractures that causes dorsal displacement of the fracture
Dinner Fork Deformity Pneumonic:
"NiCOLLE came over for dinner"
A PT is evaluating a 34-year old female patient with a vague diagnosis of low back pain.
The patient displays a positive Thomas test. Which sub phase of the gait cycle will
MOST likely show limitation in the hip ROM. - Answer-D. Hip flexors will be stretched in
this point in the cycle and will show the greatest limitation.
Terminal stance requires max hip extension. Patient will either present with anterior
trunk lean or excessive lumbar lordosis to compensate for limited hip extension due to
hip flexor contracture or tightness
,Which of the following is NOT an expected sign seen in a patient with facial nerve (CN
VII) palsy.
A. Hyperacusis
B. Absence of sensation in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
C. Absence of corneal reflex
D. Decreased lacrimation - Answer-B. Sensation is provided by CN 5 (trigeminal nerve).
Facial nerve is taste on anterior 2/3 of tongue.
A patient who is 3 months post right ankle fracture has an active range of motion of 0
degrees to 5 degrees of dorsiflexion and 0 degrees to 20 degrees of plantar flexion. To
restore motion required for normal dorsiflexion, which of the following joint mobilization
techniques the PT should perform?
A. Anterior glide of the talus
B. Lateral glide of the calcaneus
C. Medial glide of the calcaneus
D. Posterior glide of the talus - Answer-D. Roll anteriorly and glide posteriorly for DF
Roll posteriorly and glide anteriorly for PF
A PT is testing the active shoulder range of motion of a 45-year old female patient. The
PT asks the patient to move the shoulder to full medial/internal rotation. During medial
rotation at the GH joint, the humerus will slide:
A. Anteriorly
B. Superiorly
C. Inferiorly
D. Posteriorly - Answer-D. For IR the shoulder rolls anteriorly and glides posteriorly,
following the convex on concave rule
A patient demonstrated painful ROM in abduction movement during range of motion
examination of shoulder. Which of the following joint mobilization techniques is MOST
appropriate for the patient?
A. Large amplitude oscillation performed at the beginning of the range of motion in a
superior direction
B. Small amplitude oscillations into tissue resistance up to the limit of available motion
in a superior direction
C. Large amplitude oscillation within the available range of motion in an inferior direction
D. Small amplitude oscillations into tissue resistance at the limit of available joint motion
in an inferior direction - Answer-C.
Grade 1: SARO "beginning"
Grade 2: LARO "within"
Grade 3: LARO "up to the limit"
, Grade 4: SARO "at the limit"
A PT examination reveals PSIS is low on the left; ASIS is high on the left. Interventions
should MOST likely include:
A. Stretching the right hip flexors to correct right anterior rotated innominate
B. Stretching of the left hip flexors to correct left posterior rotated innominate
C. Stretching left hip extensors to correct left posterior rotated innominate
D. Strengthening of the right hip extensors to correct right posterior rotated inanimate -
Answer-C. Stretch to correct and obtain neutral innominate position
A 39 year old comes to an OP clinic complaining of hip problems. The PT notices a drop
of the left hip during right midstance. The MOST LIKELY cause of this impairment can
be injury of:
A. Right inferior gluteal nerve
B. Right femoral nerve
C. Right superior gluteal nerve
D. Right obturator nerve - Answer-C.
Superior gluteal nerve innervates gluteus medius
Left hip drop is due to weak right gluteus medius
A 39 year old comes to an OP complaining of hip problems. The PT notices a drop of
the left hip during right midstance. The MOST appropriate treatment for this impairment
would be:
A. Stand on right leg and abduct the left leg
B. Stand on left leg and extend the right leg
C. Stand on right leg and flex the right leg
D. Stand on left leg and flex the right leg - Answer-A. This exercise will target gluteus
muscle
After evaluation a baseball player, the PT concludes that there is insufficient
deceleration of the shoulder during throwing. Which of the following strengthening
techniques will be MOST effective in improving control of deceleration of the shoulder?
A. Eccentric exercise of the teres minor and infraspinatus
B. Eccentric exercises of the teres major and pectoralis minor
C. Concentric exercises of the teres minor and infraspinatus
D. Concentric exercises of the teres major and pectoralis major - Answer-A. Eccentric
assists with deceleration
