NPTE 5 – NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY EXAM
PRACTICE TEST: 2025–2026 MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (HARVARD STYLE)
✅ 250+ NPTE-STYLE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
✅ COVERS MUSCULOSKELETAL, NEUROMUSCULAR, CARDIOPULMONARY,
AND SYSTEMS
✅ INCLUDES EXAM STRATEGIES AND ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
✅ UPDATED FOR 2025–2026 FSBPT BLUEPRINT
✅ HARVARD STYLE SOURCING FOR RELIABILITY AND ACCURACY
✅ PERFECT FOR FULL-LENGTH MOCK EXAM OR FINAL REVIEW
C1. After an uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (MI), which graded exercise test (GXT)
should be administered to the patient before hospital discharge?
1. Symptom-limited GXT at 10 days post MI.
2. Low level GXT at 4 to 6 days post MI.
3. GXT to 85% age predicted maximum HR 3 to 5 days post MI.
4. GXT to 75% age predicted maximum HR 4 to 6 days post MI. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Low
level GXT at 4 to 6 days post MI.
C2. A newborn is examined at birth using the APGAR test. Which of the following APGAR results is a
likely indicator of potential neurological complications?
1. 3 at 10 minutes.
2. 9 at 1 minute.
3. 8 at 1 minute.
4. 8 at 5 minutes. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. 3 at 10 minutes.
C3. A PT requested that a physical therapy assistant (PTA) perform ultrasound (US) to the shoulder
of a patient. During the treatment session, the patient experienced an electrical shock. In which
situation would the PT be responsible for any injury the patient might receive?
1. Faulty circuitry.
2. The PTA failing to use a ground fault interrupter (GFI).
3. The patient touching the US device during treatment.
,4. The PT having instructed the PTA to use a device that had malfunctioned on the previous day. -
CORRECT ANSWER-4. The PT having instructed the PTA to use a device that had malfunctioned
on the previous day.
C4. A patient with coronary artery disease received inpatient cardiac rehabilitation after a mild
myocardial infarction (MI). The patient is now enrolled in an outpatient exercise class that utilizes
intermittent training. What is the BEST initial spacing of exercise/rest intervals to safely stress the
aerobic system?
1. 5:1.
2. 1:1.
3. 10:1.
4. 2:1. - CORRECT ANSWER-4. 2:1.
C5. What is the BEST INITIAL intervention to improve functional mobility in an individual with a
stable humeral neck fracture?
1. Isometrics for all shoulder musculature.
2. Heat modalities.
3. Active resistive range of motion (ROM).
4. Pendulum exercises. - CORRECT ANSWER-4. Pendulum exercises.
C6. A patient seeks physical therapy with a chief complaint of low back pain with radiation into the
buttock, posterior thigh, and calf. Physical examination findings include peripheralization of
symptoms on extension of the lumbar spine and a positive crossed straight leg raise test. Based on
these examination findings, the therapist determines that the patient will respond favorably to
which treatment approach?
1. Stabilization exercises.
2. Spinal manipulation.
3. Lumbar traction.
4. Extension exercises. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. Lumbar traction.
C7. A patient has fixed forefoot varus malalignment. What possible compensatory motion or posture
might occur?
1. Excessive subtalar pronation.
2. Ipsilateral pelvic external rotation.
,3. Hallux varus.
4. Genu recurvatum. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Excessive subtalar pronation.
C8. A patient presents with fingertips that are rounded and bulbous. The nail plate is more convex
than normal. These changes are the likely result of which condition?
1. Psoriasis.
2. Chronic hypoxia from heart disease.
3. Inflammation of the proximal and lateral nail folds.
4. Trauma to the nail bed. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Chronic hypoxia from heart disease.
C9. The PT is examining a patient for right neck pain and spasms. Several inflamed submandibular
nodes are noted. The nodes are approximately 1.0 cm in size, tender, and erythematous. The patient
has no known history of cancer or metabolic diseases. What is the FIRST action the therapist should
take?
1. Question the patient regarding impact of neck pain and emotional distress.
2. Question the patient regarding any recent dental or throat infections.
3. Refer the patient for x-ray imaging.
4. Begin manual lymphatic drainage. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Question the patient regarding any
recent dental or throat infections.
C10. A PT is reviewing a medical record prior to examining a patient for the first time. The suspected
diagnosis is multiple sclerosis. On the neurologist's note, the therapist finds the following: deep
tendon reflex (DTR); right quadriceps is 2+, left quadriceps is 4+. What is the correct interpretation
of these findings?
1. The right DTR is normal, the left is abnormal.
2. Both DTRs are abnormal and indicative of hyporeflexia.
3. The right DTR is exaggerated, the left is clearly abnormal.
4. Both DTRs are abnormal and indicative of upper motor neuron (UMN) syndrome. - CORRECT
ANSWER-1. The right DTR is normal, the left is abnormal.
C11. A patient has an episode of syncope in the physical therapy clinic. The therapist attempts to
rule out orthostatic hypotension as the cause of the fainting. What is the BEST test protocol to use?
1. Palpate the carotid arteries and take resting HR and BP in the supine position.
2. Take resting HR and BP in supine, then in sitting, then in standing after 1 minute.
, 3. Take resting HR and BP in supine after 5 minutes, then in semi-Fowler position.
4. Take resting HR and BP in sitting and after 3 and 5 minutes of cycle ergometry exercise. -
CORRECT ANSWER-2. Take resting HR and BP in supine, then in sitting, then in standing after 1
minute.
C12. An inpatient with a grade III diabetic foot ulcer is referred for physical therapy. Panafil has been
applied to the necrotic tissue BID. The wound has no foul smell; however, the therapist notes a
green tinge on the dressing. What is the BEST action for the therapist to take?
1. Fit the patient with a total contact cast.
2. Document the finding and contact the physician immediately.
3. Begin a trial of acetic acid to the wound.
4. Document the finding and continue with treatment. - CORRECT ANSWER-4. Document the
finding and continue with treatment.
C13. A PT receives a referral to examine the fall risk of an elderly patient with Parkinson's disease
who lives alone and has had two recent falls. Which activity is the MOST common reason for falls in
the elderly?
1. Walking with a roller walker with hand brakes.
2. Climbing on a step stool to reach overhead objects.
3. Turning around and sitting down in a chair.
4. Dressing while sitting on the edge of the bed. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. Turning around and
sitting down in a chair.
C14. A physical therapist is reviewing the medication list with a patient with osteoarthritis during
their initial visit. All of the medicines/supplements they are taking were prescribed by one of their
physicians. The therapist is concerned and has decided to call the patient's primary care physician.
Which combination of medications/supplements is a red flag?
1. Naproxen 500 mg 2x/day and Tylenol 500 mg 4x/day.
2. Naproxen 500 mg 2x/day and Aleve 500 mg 2x/day.
3. Naproxen 500 mg 2x/day and Glucosamine sulfate/chondroitin 400 mg 3x/day.
4. Tylenol 500 mg 4x/day and Fish Oil 1,000 mg 1x/day. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Naproxen 500
mg 2x/day and Aleve 500 mg 2x/day.
C15. A high school student sustains a wrist injury after slipping on ice and falling with an out-
stretched hand.The patient reports that the wrist swelled immediately. The physical therapist's
PRACTICE TEST: 2025–2026 MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (HARVARD STYLE)
✅ 250+ NPTE-STYLE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
✅ COVERS MUSCULOSKELETAL, NEUROMUSCULAR, CARDIOPULMONARY,
AND SYSTEMS
✅ INCLUDES EXAM STRATEGIES AND ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
✅ UPDATED FOR 2025–2026 FSBPT BLUEPRINT
✅ HARVARD STYLE SOURCING FOR RELIABILITY AND ACCURACY
✅ PERFECT FOR FULL-LENGTH MOCK EXAM OR FINAL REVIEW
C1. After an uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (MI), which graded exercise test (GXT)
should be administered to the patient before hospital discharge?
1. Symptom-limited GXT at 10 days post MI.
2. Low level GXT at 4 to 6 days post MI.
3. GXT to 85% age predicted maximum HR 3 to 5 days post MI.
4. GXT to 75% age predicted maximum HR 4 to 6 days post MI. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Low
level GXT at 4 to 6 days post MI.
C2. A newborn is examined at birth using the APGAR test. Which of the following APGAR results is a
likely indicator of potential neurological complications?
1. 3 at 10 minutes.
2. 9 at 1 minute.
3. 8 at 1 minute.
4. 8 at 5 minutes. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. 3 at 10 minutes.
C3. A PT requested that a physical therapy assistant (PTA) perform ultrasound (US) to the shoulder
of a patient. During the treatment session, the patient experienced an electrical shock. In which
situation would the PT be responsible for any injury the patient might receive?
1. Faulty circuitry.
2. The PTA failing to use a ground fault interrupter (GFI).
3. The patient touching the US device during treatment.
,4. The PT having instructed the PTA to use a device that had malfunctioned on the previous day. -
CORRECT ANSWER-4. The PT having instructed the PTA to use a device that had malfunctioned
on the previous day.
C4. A patient with coronary artery disease received inpatient cardiac rehabilitation after a mild
myocardial infarction (MI). The patient is now enrolled in an outpatient exercise class that utilizes
intermittent training. What is the BEST initial spacing of exercise/rest intervals to safely stress the
aerobic system?
1. 5:1.
2. 1:1.
3. 10:1.
4. 2:1. - CORRECT ANSWER-4. 2:1.
C5. What is the BEST INITIAL intervention to improve functional mobility in an individual with a
stable humeral neck fracture?
1. Isometrics for all shoulder musculature.
2. Heat modalities.
3. Active resistive range of motion (ROM).
4. Pendulum exercises. - CORRECT ANSWER-4. Pendulum exercises.
C6. A patient seeks physical therapy with a chief complaint of low back pain with radiation into the
buttock, posterior thigh, and calf. Physical examination findings include peripheralization of
symptoms on extension of the lumbar spine and a positive crossed straight leg raise test. Based on
these examination findings, the therapist determines that the patient will respond favorably to
which treatment approach?
1. Stabilization exercises.
2. Spinal manipulation.
3. Lumbar traction.
4. Extension exercises. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. Lumbar traction.
C7. A patient has fixed forefoot varus malalignment. What possible compensatory motion or posture
might occur?
1. Excessive subtalar pronation.
2. Ipsilateral pelvic external rotation.
,3. Hallux varus.
4. Genu recurvatum. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Excessive subtalar pronation.
C8. A patient presents with fingertips that are rounded and bulbous. The nail plate is more convex
than normal. These changes are the likely result of which condition?
1. Psoriasis.
2. Chronic hypoxia from heart disease.
3. Inflammation of the proximal and lateral nail folds.
4. Trauma to the nail bed. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Chronic hypoxia from heart disease.
C9. The PT is examining a patient for right neck pain and spasms. Several inflamed submandibular
nodes are noted. The nodes are approximately 1.0 cm in size, tender, and erythematous. The patient
has no known history of cancer or metabolic diseases. What is the FIRST action the therapist should
take?
1. Question the patient regarding impact of neck pain and emotional distress.
2. Question the patient regarding any recent dental or throat infections.
3. Refer the patient for x-ray imaging.
4. Begin manual lymphatic drainage. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Question the patient regarding any
recent dental or throat infections.
C10. A PT is reviewing a medical record prior to examining a patient for the first time. The suspected
diagnosis is multiple sclerosis. On the neurologist's note, the therapist finds the following: deep
tendon reflex (DTR); right quadriceps is 2+, left quadriceps is 4+. What is the correct interpretation
of these findings?
1. The right DTR is normal, the left is abnormal.
2. Both DTRs are abnormal and indicative of hyporeflexia.
3. The right DTR is exaggerated, the left is clearly abnormal.
4. Both DTRs are abnormal and indicative of upper motor neuron (UMN) syndrome. - CORRECT
ANSWER-1. The right DTR is normal, the left is abnormal.
C11. A patient has an episode of syncope in the physical therapy clinic. The therapist attempts to
rule out orthostatic hypotension as the cause of the fainting. What is the BEST test protocol to use?
1. Palpate the carotid arteries and take resting HR and BP in the supine position.
2. Take resting HR and BP in supine, then in sitting, then in standing after 1 minute.
, 3. Take resting HR and BP in supine after 5 minutes, then in semi-Fowler position.
4. Take resting HR and BP in sitting and after 3 and 5 minutes of cycle ergometry exercise. -
CORRECT ANSWER-2. Take resting HR and BP in supine, then in sitting, then in standing after 1
minute.
C12. An inpatient with a grade III diabetic foot ulcer is referred for physical therapy. Panafil has been
applied to the necrotic tissue BID. The wound has no foul smell; however, the therapist notes a
green tinge on the dressing. What is the BEST action for the therapist to take?
1. Fit the patient with a total contact cast.
2. Document the finding and contact the physician immediately.
3. Begin a trial of acetic acid to the wound.
4. Document the finding and continue with treatment. - CORRECT ANSWER-4. Document the
finding and continue with treatment.
C13. A PT receives a referral to examine the fall risk of an elderly patient with Parkinson's disease
who lives alone and has had two recent falls. Which activity is the MOST common reason for falls in
the elderly?
1. Walking with a roller walker with hand brakes.
2. Climbing on a step stool to reach overhead objects.
3. Turning around and sitting down in a chair.
4. Dressing while sitting on the edge of the bed. - CORRECT ANSWER-3. Turning around and
sitting down in a chair.
C14. A physical therapist is reviewing the medication list with a patient with osteoarthritis during
their initial visit. All of the medicines/supplements they are taking were prescribed by one of their
physicians. The therapist is concerned and has decided to call the patient's primary care physician.
Which combination of medications/supplements is a red flag?
1. Naproxen 500 mg 2x/day and Tylenol 500 mg 4x/day.
2. Naproxen 500 mg 2x/day and Aleve 500 mg 2x/day.
3. Naproxen 500 mg 2x/day and Glucosamine sulfate/chondroitin 400 mg 3x/day.
4. Tylenol 500 mg 4x/day and Fish Oil 1,000 mg 1x/day. - CORRECT ANSWER-2. Naproxen 500
mg 2x/day and Aleve 500 mg 2x/day.
C15. A high school student sustains a wrist injury after slipping on ice and falling with an out-
stretched hand.The patient reports that the wrist swelled immediately. The physical therapist's
