©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
NPTE Practice Questions With Correct
Answers A+
A patient with a tracheostomy tube has been hospitalized for 2 days. During PT the patient
suddenly exhibits dyspnea, cyanosis of lips and cramping of R calf muscle. What should the
therapist suspect based off the sx?
a. heart failure
b. DVT
c. respiratory distress
d. pulmonary embolism - Answer✔C. Respiratory Distress
dyspnea, SOB or cramping in calf mms are common signs of respiratory distress. Mucus
plugging, tube displacement, disruption or disconnection of O2 can cause respiratory distress
A 48 y/o female lawyer presents to an OP clinic with hx of LBP. The PT measures her B arch
index at 0.30. Which of the following orthotic interventions is MOST appropriate for this pt?
a. heel lift
b. post under 5th metatarsal head
c. longitudinal arch support
d. transverse arch support - Answer✔c. longitudinal arch support
an arch index of > 0.3 indicates low arch or pes planus. longitudinal arch support will be most
appropriate and supplemented with foot intrinsic exercises
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
According to the roll and slide mechanism, during right forearm supination at the proximal
radioulnar joint, the radial head will:
A. Roll and slide posteriorly
B. Roll anteriorly and slide posteriorly
C. Roll and slide anteriorly
D. Roll posteriorly and slide anteriorly - Answer✔D. Roll posteriorly and slide anteriorly
radial head slides opposite the direction of bone motion
A 23 y/o healthy male plans to start working out as his NY resolution. The sympathetic nervous
system would contribute to which of the following responses to ACUTE exercise?
a. increased peristalsis
b. increased HR
c. increased rate of breathing
d. skeletal muscle contraction - Answer✔c. increased rate of breathing
during an exercise, increased RR is due to stimulation of beta 2 receptors- SNS that causes
bronchodilation. Initial increase in HR is due to withdrawal of PNS not the stimulation of SNS
Which of the following sympathetic CV changes occurs in a pt with long standing Type 1 DM
a. HR becomes fixed
b. higher resting HR
c. lower resting HR
d. exercise increases HR - Answer✔a. HR becomes fixed
long term complications - HR is unresponsive to exercise, stress or sleep
A PT was observing the gait of a pt with a R transtibial prosthesis The PT suspects that the pt has
an excessively firm heel wedge What compensation is the pt MOST likely to exhibit?
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
a. excessive knee flexion in early stance
b. premature knee flexion in late stance
c. insufficient knee flexion in early stance
d. excessive knee flexion in late stance - Answer✔a. excessive knee flexion in early stance
excessive knee flexion in early stance results from firm heel in a transtibial prosthesis. Premature
knee flexion late stance occurs if DF stop is too soft. Insufficient knee flexion in early stance is
due to soft heel cushion
During the initial exam, a PT determines a pt has 3/5 strength in R subscapularis. Which of the
following activities would be MOST difficult for the pt to perform?
a. performing a push up with B UE
b. elevation of R scapula
c. extension of GH joint
d. flexion of humerus overhead - Answer✔d. flexion of humerus overhead
subscapularis is an important RTC mms, stabilizing the humeral head in the glenoid cavity;thus
preventing superior translation of the humerus. It's an important mms in overhead sports. Tear of
subscapularis can weaken its hold over long head of biceps causing difficulty in oveerhead
activity.
A patient came to a clinic with diagnosis of ESRD. The PT is most concerned about prescribing
a program for general conditioning. During treatment, the PT notices that the pt is developing
skin pallor, fatigue, and dyspnea. The PT monitors their vitals, and will expect which value to be
MOST affected based on the pt's diagnosis?
a. Increased BP
b. Normal BP
c. Hyperglycemia
d. Hypoglycemia - Answer✔a. Increased BP
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In ESRD, the kidney is unable to function and a multitude of complications appear w/
accompanying s&sx. Proteinuria is the hallmark of stage 4; the kidneys are no longer able to
excreet toxins, so there is a progressive increase in BUN and creatinine levels. Most people in
stage 4 are hypertensive because of an increased production of renin. HTN accelerates the
progression to stage 5 (ESRD) when the kidneys have failed to fxn.
A 25 y/o pt had a traumatic fall off his bike 1 week ago. Since the injury, the pt has not been able
to elevate his scapula. Based on the information given, what is the MOST likely physical therapy
diagnosis?
a. anterior dislocation of shoulder joint
b. posterior dislocation of shoulder joint
c. inferior dislocation of SC joint
d. Superior dislocation of SC joint - Answer✔d. Superior dislocation of SC joint
At the SC joint promixal articulating surface of the clavicle is convex superiorly/inferiorly and
concave anteriorly/posteriorly. During elevation, clavicle slides inferiorly and during depression
it slides superiorly. Hence, the superior dislocation of SC joint will cause inability to elevate the
scapula
A 70 y/o male pt presents to an OP clinic with sensory loss of the R face and arm. This pt is
taking medications for HTN, DM type 2, and hydrocortisone for a rash on his leg. The pt initially
seems confused but otherwise has intact speech. The therapist would MOST likely suspect a
lesion in which vessel?
a. L MCA superior division
b. L MCA inferior division
c. R MCA superior division
d. R MCA inferior division - Answer✔b. L MCA inferior division
infarct in MCA inferior division causes contralateral homonymous hemianopsia, fluent aphasia
(wernicke's area). Superior division MCA infarct is responsible for Broca's
A PT is demonstrating the task of dribbling a basketball to a patient. The PT instructs the pt to
dribble the ball in their dominant hand and then encourages them to switch to their L hand. In
what phase of motor learning is the pt MOST LIKELY in?
NPTE Practice Questions With Correct
Answers A+
A patient with a tracheostomy tube has been hospitalized for 2 days. During PT the patient
suddenly exhibits dyspnea, cyanosis of lips and cramping of R calf muscle. What should the
therapist suspect based off the sx?
a. heart failure
b. DVT
c. respiratory distress
d. pulmonary embolism - Answer✔C. Respiratory Distress
dyspnea, SOB or cramping in calf mms are common signs of respiratory distress. Mucus
plugging, tube displacement, disruption or disconnection of O2 can cause respiratory distress
A 48 y/o female lawyer presents to an OP clinic with hx of LBP. The PT measures her B arch
index at 0.30. Which of the following orthotic interventions is MOST appropriate for this pt?
a. heel lift
b. post under 5th metatarsal head
c. longitudinal arch support
d. transverse arch support - Answer✔c. longitudinal arch support
an arch index of > 0.3 indicates low arch or pes planus. longitudinal arch support will be most
appropriate and supplemented with foot intrinsic exercises
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
According to the roll and slide mechanism, during right forearm supination at the proximal
radioulnar joint, the radial head will:
A. Roll and slide posteriorly
B. Roll anteriorly and slide posteriorly
C. Roll and slide anteriorly
D. Roll posteriorly and slide anteriorly - Answer✔D. Roll posteriorly and slide anteriorly
radial head slides opposite the direction of bone motion
A 23 y/o healthy male plans to start working out as his NY resolution. The sympathetic nervous
system would contribute to which of the following responses to ACUTE exercise?
a. increased peristalsis
b. increased HR
c. increased rate of breathing
d. skeletal muscle contraction - Answer✔c. increased rate of breathing
during an exercise, increased RR is due to stimulation of beta 2 receptors- SNS that causes
bronchodilation. Initial increase in HR is due to withdrawal of PNS not the stimulation of SNS
Which of the following sympathetic CV changes occurs in a pt with long standing Type 1 DM
a. HR becomes fixed
b. higher resting HR
c. lower resting HR
d. exercise increases HR - Answer✔a. HR becomes fixed
long term complications - HR is unresponsive to exercise, stress or sleep
A PT was observing the gait of a pt with a R transtibial prosthesis The PT suspects that the pt has
an excessively firm heel wedge What compensation is the pt MOST likely to exhibit?
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
a. excessive knee flexion in early stance
b. premature knee flexion in late stance
c. insufficient knee flexion in early stance
d. excessive knee flexion in late stance - Answer✔a. excessive knee flexion in early stance
excessive knee flexion in early stance results from firm heel in a transtibial prosthesis. Premature
knee flexion late stance occurs if DF stop is too soft. Insufficient knee flexion in early stance is
due to soft heel cushion
During the initial exam, a PT determines a pt has 3/5 strength in R subscapularis. Which of the
following activities would be MOST difficult for the pt to perform?
a. performing a push up with B UE
b. elevation of R scapula
c. extension of GH joint
d. flexion of humerus overhead - Answer✔d. flexion of humerus overhead
subscapularis is an important RTC mms, stabilizing the humeral head in the glenoid cavity;thus
preventing superior translation of the humerus. It's an important mms in overhead sports. Tear of
subscapularis can weaken its hold over long head of biceps causing difficulty in oveerhead
activity.
A patient came to a clinic with diagnosis of ESRD. The PT is most concerned about prescribing
a program for general conditioning. During treatment, the PT notices that the pt is developing
skin pallor, fatigue, and dyspnea. The PT monitors their vitals, and will expect which value to be
MOST affected based on the pt's diagnosis?
a. Increased BP
b. Normal BP
c. Hyperglycemia
d. Hypoglycemia - Answer✔a. Increased BP
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In ESRD, the kidney is unable to function and a multitude of complications appear w/
accompanying s&sx. Proteinuria is the hallmark of stage 4; the kidneys are no longer able to
excreet toxins, so there is a progressive increase in BUN and creatinine levels. Most people in
stage 4 are hypertensive because of an increased production of renin. HTN accelerates the
progression to stage 5 (ESRD) when the kidneys have failed to fxn.
A 25 y/o pt had a traumatic fall off his bike 1 week ago. Since the injury, the pt has not been able
to elevate his scapula. Based on the information given, what is the MOST likely physical therapy
diagnosis?
a. anterior dislocation of shoulder joint
b. posterior dislocation of shoulder joint
c. inferior dislocation of SC joint
d. Superior dislocation of SC joint - Answer✔d. Superior dislocation of SC joint
At the SC joint promixal articulating surface of the clavicle is convex superiorly/inferiorly and
concave anteriorly/posteriorly. During elevation, clavicle slides inferiorly and during depression
it slides superiorly. Hence, the superior dislocation of SC joint will cause inability to elevate the
scapula
A 70 y/o male pt presents to an OP clinic with sensory loss of the R face and arm. This pt is
taking medications for HTN, DM type 2, and hydrocortisone for a rash on his leg. The pt initially
seems confused but otherwise has intact speech. The therapist would MOST likely suspect a
lesion in which vessel?
a. L MCA superior division
b. L MCA inferior division
c. R MCA superior division
d. R MCA inferior division - Answer✔b. L MCA inferior division
infarct in MCA inferior division causes contralateral homonymous hemianopsia, fluent aphasia
(wernicke's area). Superior division MCA infarct is responsible for Broca's
A PT is demonstrating the task of dribbling a basketball to a patient. The PT instructs the pt to
dribble the ball in their dominant hand and then encourages them to switch to their L hand. In
what phase of motor learning is the pt MOST LIKELY in?
