NPTE (Retired) Practice Questions – Physical Therapy Exam Review (Clinical Reasoning &
Answer Explanations)
A patient has a full-thickness burn to the antecubital region. Which of the following positions is
BEST for splinting the extremity? - ANS ✔✔Elbow extension and supination
Which of the following is an effective method to increase the amount of weight-bearing on the
lower extremities when exercising in water? - ANS ✔✔Decrease the depth of water
Tapping or vibration of the skin over the posterior calf is MOST likely to have which of the
following effects? - ANS ✔✔Facilitating plantar flexion
A patient with a posterolateral lumbar disc herniation walks with the trunk in slight flexion and
rotation. Which of the following positioning strategies for the patient at work would MOST
reduce the chance of additional pressure on the injury? - ANS ✔✔Stand with a normal erect
posture as much as possible
During auscultation over the chest of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
crackles were noted in bilateral upper lobes, posterior segments. In which position should the
patient be placed for postural drainage? - ANS ✔✔Seated leaning forward over a folded pillow
at a 30° angle
Slow, sustained application of which of the following manual techniques is MOST likely to
decrease muscle spasm and reduce pain? - ANS ✔✔Joint traction
A PTA is observing the patient performing the exercise in the photograph. The patient reports
increased pain radiating into the right lower extremity. What action should the assistant take
FIRST? - ANS ✔✔Instruct the patient to return to lying prone and monitor the patient's
symptoms
, During cardiac rehabilitation exercises, which of the following events indicates a need to stop
the patient's exercise? - ANS ✔✔Blood pressure increases from 160/95 mmHg to 195/115 mm
Hg.
A patient who has Parkinson disease should AVOID which of the following therapeutic
exercises? - ANS ✔✔Sit-ups in supine position
A patient with hyperthyroidism is performing a strengthening program. Which of the following
patient features would be MOST important for a PTA to monitor? - ANS ✔✔Muscle weakness
What is the function of the Golgi tendon organ? - ANS ✔✔Sensing muscle tension at the
musculotendinous insertion
which method of exercise is MOST appropriate for the lower extremities of a patient who has an
L1 spinal cord injury (ASIA Impairment Scale A)? - ANS ✔✔Passive exercise
What is the MOST appropriate patient position for postural drainage and percussion of the
posterior segment of the left lower lobe? - ANS ✔✔Prone, with a pillow under the abdomen
A patient with winging of the right scapula has a grade of Poor (2/5) for the affected muscle.
Which of the following positions is MOST appropriate for initiating exercises to strengthen the
affected muscle? - ANS ✔✔Sidelying on the left with the right upper arm supported in 90° of
shoulder flexion
Which of the following strengthening exercises would be MOST appropriate for a patient who
has muscle weakness due to a disc herniation at L4-L5? - ANS ✔✔Seated ankle dorsiflexion
A patient with an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis reports tightness and swelling in multiple
joints. Which of the following exercises would be CONTRAINDICATED at this time? - ANS
✔✔Stretching
Answer Explanations)
A patient has a full-thickness burn to the antecubital region. Which of the following positions is
BEST for splinting the extremity? - ANS ✔✔Elbow extension and supination
Which of the following is an effective method to increase the amount of weight-bearing on the
lower extremities when exercising in water? - ANS ✔✔Decrease the depth of water
Tapping or vibration of the skin over the posterior calf is MOST likely to have which of the
following effects? - ANS ✔✔Facilitating plantar flexion
A patient with a posterolateral lumbar disc herniation walks with the trunk in slight flexion and
rotation. Which of the following positioning strategies for the patient at work would MOST
reduce the chance of additional pressure on the injury? - ANS ✔✔Stand with a normal erect
posture as much as possible
During auscultation over the chest of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
crackles were noted in bilateral upper lobes, posterior segments. In which position should the
patient be placed for postural drainage? - ANS ✔✔Seated leaning forward over a folded pillow
at a 30° angle
Slow, sustained application of which of the following manual techniques is MOST likely to
decrease muscle spasm and reduce pain? - ANS ✔✔Joint traction
A PTA is observing the patient performing the exercise in the photograph. The patient reports
increased pain radiating into the right lower extremity. What action should the assistant take
FIRST? - ANS ✔✔Instruct the patient to return to lying prone and monitor the patient's
symptoms
, During cardiac rehabilitation exercises, which of the following events indicates a need to stop
the patient's exercise? - ANS ✔✔Blood pressure increases from 160/95 mmHg to 195/115 mm
Hg.
A patient who has Parkinson disease should AVOID which of the following therapeutic
exercises? - ANS ✔✔Sit-ups in supine position
A patient with hyperthyroidism is performing a strengthening program. Which of the following
patient features would be MOST important for a PTA to monitor? - ANS ✔✔Muscle weakness
What is the function of the Golgi tendon organ? - ANS ✔✔Sensing muscle tension at the
musculotendinous insertion
which method of exercise is MOST appropriate for the lower extremities of a patient who has an
L1 spinal cord injury (ASIA Impairment Scale A)? - ANS ✔✔Passive exercise
What is the MOST appropriate patient position for postural drainage and percussion of the
posterior segment of the left lower lobe? - ANS ✔✔Prone, with a pillow under the abdomen
A patient with winging of the right scapula has a grade of Poor (2/5) for the affected muscle.
Which of the following positions is MOST appropriate for initiating exercises to strengthen the
affected muscle? - ANS ✔✔Sidelying on the left with the right upper arm supported in 90° of
shoulder flexion
Which of the following strengthening exercises would be MOST appropriate for a patient who
has muscle weakness due to a disc herniation at L4-L5? - ANS ✔✔Seated ankle dorsiflexion
A patient with an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis reports tightness and swelling in multiple
joints. Which of the following exercises would be CONTRAINDICATED at this time? - ANS
✔✔Stretching
