Illinois Physical Therapist Licensing
Exam With Actual Questions &
Verified Answers,Plus
Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed Pass Graded A+/2026
/Latest Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate intervention for a patient
with acute low back pain without neurological deficits?
A. Lumbar traction
B. Exercise and patient education
C. Complete bed rest
D. High-intensity electrical stimulation
Rationale: Current guidelines recommend staying active and educating
patients with acute low back pain. Bed rest and passive modalities are not
first-line.
2. What is the primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A. Cure the disease
B. Improve functional capacity and quality of life
C. Eliminate need for oxygen therapy
D. Reduce infection risk
Rationale: Pulmonary rehabilitation aims to enhance exercise tolerance,
reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life, not to cure COPD.
3. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle lengthens while
producing force?
, A. Concentric
B. Eccentric
C. Isometric
D. Isokinetic
Rationale: Eccentric contractions involve lengthening of the muscle under
tension, often used in controlled lowering movements.
4. A patient presents with a positive Babinski sign. This is indicative of:
A. Peripheral neuropathy
B. Cerebellar dysfunction
C. Upper motor neuron lesion
D. Lower motor neuron lesion
Rationale: The Babinski sign (extension of the big toe) suggests corticospinal
tract involvement, indicating an upper motor neuron lesion.
5. The most appropriate position to stretch the hamstrings is:
A. Hip flexion with knee extension
B. Hip flexion with knee extended
C. Hip extension with knee flexed
D. Standing with hip extension
Rationale: Hamstring stretches are most effective when the hip is flexed and
the knee is extended to lengthen the entire muscle group.
6. Which outcome measure is most commonly used to assess functional
mobility in patients with stroke?
A. Berg Balance Scale
B. Timed Up and Go (TUG)
C. 6-Minute Walk Test
D. Oswestry Disability Index
Rationale: The TUG is a quick and reliable measure of functional mobility,
especially in post-stroke patients.
7. Which modality is contraindicated for a patient with a pacemaker?
A. Ultrasound
B. Electrical stimulation (NMES)
, C. Heat packs
D. Cold packs
Rationale: Electrical stimulation can interfere with pacemaker function and is
contraindicated in these patients.
8. The primary mechanism of action for cryotherapy is:
A. Vasodilation
B. Increased metabolism
C. Vasoconstriction and reduced nerve conduction velocity
D. Muscle strengthening
Rationale: Cryotherapy reduces blood flow, inflammation, and nerve
conduction, helping decrease pain and swelling.
9. Which of the following is a cardinal sign of inflammation?
A. Weakness
B. Spasticity
C. Redness
D. Numbness
Rationale: Cardinal signs include redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of
function.
10.The most reliable test for assessing the integrity of the anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) is:
A. McMurray test
B. Apley compression test
C. Lachman test
D. Thompson test
Rationale: The Lachman test is highly sensitive and specific for ACL tears.
11.Which gait abnormality is characterized by a wide base, staggering, and
difficulty with turns?
A. Hemiplegic gait
B. Parkinsonian gait
C. Trendelenburg gait
D. Ataxic gait
Exam With Actual Questions &
Verified Answers,Plus
Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed Pass Graded A+/2026
/Latest Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate intervention for a patient
with acute low back pain without neurological deficits?
A. Lumbar traction
B. Exercise and patient education
C. Complete bed rest
D. High-intensity electrical stimulation
Rationale: Current guidelines recommend staying active and educating
patients with acute low back pain. Bed rest and passive modalities are not
first-line.
2. What is the primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A. Cure the disease
B. Improve functional capacity and quality of life
C. Eliminate need for oxygen therapy
D. Reduce infection risk
Rationale: Pulmonary rehabilitation aims to enhance exercise tolerance,
reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life, not to cure COPD.
3. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle lengthens while
producing force?
, A. Concentric
B. Eccentric
C. Isometric
D. Isokinetic
Rationale: Eccentric contractions involve lengthening of the muscle under
tension, often used in controlled lowering movements.
4. A patient presents with a positive Babinski sign. This is indicative of:
A. Peripheral neuropathy
B. Cerebellar dysfunction
C. Upper motor neuron lesion
D. Lower motor neuron lesion
Rationale: The Babinski sign (extension of the big toe) suggests corticospinal
tract involvement, indicating an upper motor neuron lesion.
5. The most appropriate position to stretch the hamstrings is:
A. Hip flexion with knee extension
B. Hip flexion with knee extended
C. Hip extension with knee flexed
D. Standing with hip extension
Rationale: Hamstring stretches are most effective when the hip is flexed and
the knee is extended to lengthen the entire muscle group.
6. Which outcome measure is most commonly used to assess functional
mobility in patients with stroke?
A. Berg Balance Scale
B. Timed Up and Go (TUG)
C. 6-Minute Walk Test
D. Oswestry Disability Index
Rationale: The TUG is a quick and reliable measure of functional mobility,
especially in post-stroke patients.
7. Which modality is contraindicated for a patient with a pacemaker?
A. Ultrasound
B. Electrical stimulation (NMES)
, C. Heat packs
D. Cold packs
Rationale: Electrical stimulation can interfere with pacemaker function and is
contraindicated in these patients.
8. The primary mechanism of action for cryotherapy is:
A. Vasodilation
B. Increased metabolism
C. Vasoconstriction and reduced nerve conduction velocity
D. Muscle strengthening
Rationale: Cryotherapy reduces blood flow, inflammation, and nerve
conduction, helping decrease pain and swelling.
9. Which of the following is a cardinal sign of inflammation?
A. Weakness
B. Spasticity
C. Redness
D. Numbness
Rationale: Cardinal signs include redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of
function.
10.The most reliable test for assessing the integrity of the anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) is:
A. McMurray test
B. Apley compression test
C. Lachman test
D. Thompson test
Rationale: The Lachman test is highly sensitive and specific for ACL tears.
11.Which gait abnormality is characterized by a wide base, staggering, and
difficulty with turns?
A. Hemiplegic gait
B. Parkinsonian gait
C. Trendelenburg gait
D. Ataxic gait
