Michigan Physical Therapy Specialist
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
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Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. A 45-year-old patient presents with chronic low back pain that
radiates into the left leg. Neurological testing reveals decreased
sensation in the L5 dermatome and weak dorsiflexion. Which
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Lumbar traction with intermittent oscillation
B. Core stabilization exercises and neural mobilization
C. High-intensity aerobic conditioning
D. Heat therapy only
B. Core stabilization exercises and neural mobilization
Core stabilization combined with neural mobilization addresses both
mechanical instability and nerve mobility, which is essential in
managing radiculopathy with motor and sensory deficits.
2. In a patient recovering from total knee arthroplasty, which parameter
is most critical to monitor to prevent arthrofibrosis during early
rehabilitation?
A. Pain tolerance
B. Range of motion
C. Muscle strength
D. Gait speed
B. Range of motion
, Maintaining and progressively increasing knee range of motion post-
surgery is critical to prevent arthrofibrosis, which can severely limit
function.
3. Which of the following best describes a Grade III mobilization
according to Maitland’s classification?
A. Small amplitude movement at the beginning of the range
B. Small amplitude movement at the end of the range
C. Large amplitude movement within the midrange
D. Large amplitude movement up to the end of range
D. Large amplitude movement up to the end of range
Grade III mobilizations are large amplitude movements performed up
to the limit of joint range to stretch joint capsules and improve
mobility.
4. A patient with Parkinson’s disease demonstrates freezing of gait when
initiating walking. Which physical therapy strategy is most effective?
A. Manual assistance to lift the feet
B. Rhythmic auditory cueing
C. Strength training only
D. Passive stretching of lower extremities
B. Rhythmic auditory cueing
Auditory cues like metronome beats improve gait initiation in
Parkinson’s disease by providing external timing cues to overcome
freezing episodes.
5. Which test is most reliable for assessing anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) integrity?
A. McMurray Test
B. Lachman Test
C. Thompson Test
D. Apley’s Compression Test
B. Lachman Test
The Lachman Test is highly sensitive and specific for ACL injuries
because it isolates the ligament without interference from other
structures.
6. A patient has a 25% loss of quadriceps strength following a femoral
fracture. What is the most appropriate progression for strengthening?
, A. Isometric → isotonic → eccentric → functional
B. Isotonic → isometric → functional → eccentric
C. Functional → isotonic → isometric → eccentric
D. Eccentric → isotonic → isometric → functional
A. Isometric → isotonic → eccentric → functional
Progressing from low-stress isometric contractions to isotonic, then
eccentric and functional activities ensures safe strengthening while
protecting healing tissues.
7. During a neurological exam, a patient demonstrates decreased
proprioception and vibration sense. Which structure is most likely
affected?
A. Anterior spinothalamic tract
B. Posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway
C. Corticospinal tract
D. Spinocerebellar tract
B. Posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway
The posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway conveys fine touch,
vibration, and proprioceptive information; deficits in these senses
indicate its involvement.
8. In a patient with adhesive capsulitis, which movement is most
restricted in the early frozen stage?
A. Shoulder abduction
B. Internal rotation
C. External rotation
D. Elbow flexion
C. External rotation
External rotation is typically the first movement to become restricted
due to capsular tightness in adhesive capsulitis.
9. A 60-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) reports shortness of breath with minimal exertion. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. High-resistance strength training
B. Inspiratory muscle training
C. Long-duration endurance running
D. Prolonged static stretching
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. A 45-year-old patient presents with chronic low back pain that
radiates into the left leg. Neurological testing reveals decreased
sensation in the L5 dermatome and weak dorsiflexion. Which
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Lumbar traction with intermittent oscillation
B. Core stabilization exercises and neural mobilization
C. High-intensity aerobic conditioning
D. Heat therapy only
B. Core stabilization exercises and neural mobilization
Core stabilization combined with neural mobilization addresses both
mechanical instability and nerve mobility, which is essential in
managing radiculopathy with motor and sensory deficits.
2. In a patient recovering from total knee arthroplasty, which parameter
is most critical to monitor to prevent arthrofibrosis during early
rehabilitation?
A. Pain tolerance
B. Range of motion
C. Muscle strength
D. Gait speed
B. Range of motion
, Maintaining and progressively increasing knee range of motion post-
surgery is critical to prevent arthrofibrosis, which can severely limit
function.
3. Which of the following best describes a Grade III mobilization
according to Maitland’s classification?
A. Small amplitude movement at the beginning of the range
B. Small amplitude movement at the end of the range
C. Large amplitude movement within the midrange
D. Large amplitude movement up to the end of range
D. Large amplitude movement up to the end of range
Grade III mobilizations are large amplitude movements performed up
to the limit of joint range to stretch joint capsules and improve
mobility.
4. A patient with Parkinson’s disease demonstrates freezing of gait when
initiating walking. Which physical therapy strategy is most effective?
A. Manual assistance to lift the feet
B. Rhythmic auditory cueing
C. Strength training only
D. Passive stretching of lower extremities
B. Rhythmic auditory cueing
Auditory cues like metronome beats improve gait initiation in
Parkinson’s disease by providing external timing cues to overcome
freezing episodes.
5. Which test is most reliable for assessing anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) integrity?
A. McMurray Test
B. Lachman Test
C. Thompson Test
D. Apley’s Compression Test
B. Lachman Test
The Lachman Test is highly sensitive and specific for ACL injuries
because it isolates the ligament without interference from other
structures.
6. A patient has a 25% loss of quadriceps strength following a femoral
fracture. What is the most appropriate progression for strengthening?
, A. Isometric → isotonic → eccentric → functional
B. Isotonic → isometric → functional → eccentric
C. Functional → isotonic → isometric → eccentric
D. Eccentric → isotonic → isometric → functional
A. Isometric → isotonic → eccentric → functional
Progressing from low-stress isometric contractions to isotonic, then
eccentric and functional activities ensures safe strengthening while
protecting healing tissues.
7. During a neurological exam, a patient demonstrates decreased
proprioception and vibration sense. Which structure is most likely
affected?
A. Anterior spinothalamic tract
B. Posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway
C. Corticospinal tract
D. Spinocerebellar tract
B. Posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway
The posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway conveys fine touch,
vibration, and proprioceptive information; deficits in these senses
indicate its involvement.
8. In a patient with adhesive capsulitis, which movement is most
restricted in the early frozen stage?
A. Shoulder abduction
B. Internal rotation
C. External rotation
D. Elbow flexion
C. External rotation
External rotation is typically the first movement to become restricted
due to capsular tightness in adhesive capsulitis.
9. A 60-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) reports shortness of breath with minimal exertion. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. High-resistance strength training
B. Inspiratory muscle training
C. Long-duration endurance running
D. Prolonged static stretching
