NPTE FSBPT Practice Exam – Physical Therapy Board Review (Clinical Reasoning, Practice
Questions & Answer Explanations)
Four months after sustaining a fractured humerus, a patient has reached a plateau. Active and
passive shoulder motions have improved but remain impaired. The patient reports pain and
tenderness when the fracture site is palpated. The patient's temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). What
is the MOST likely cause of the patient's lack of recent progress?
1.Infection of the fractured bone
2.Nonunion of the fracture
3.Heterotopic ossification
4.Compartment syndrome - ANS ✔✔2.Nonunion of the fracture
Individuals who have a nonunion fracture often have pain, heat, and tenderness at the fracture
site.
When monitoring the vital signs of a person who has mitral valve prolapse, which of the
following findings is MOST likely to be observed?
1.Bradypnea
2.Bradycardia
3.Tachypnea
4.Tachycardia - ANS ✔✔4.Tachycardia
Tachycardia, which is rapid heart beat, is a clinical sign/symptom of mitral valve prolapse due to
dysautonomia
The exercise shown in the photograph is LEAST appropriate for a patient who has which of the
following characteristics?
,1.Anterior glenohumeral instability
2.Forward head posture
3.Limited glenohumeral lateral (external) rotation range of motion
4.Tightness of the pectoralis minor and pectoralis major - ANS ✔✔1.Anterior glenohumeral
instability
Patient in picture was in shoulder flexion an lateral rotation agains the wall.
The activity shown in the photograph will force the humeral head anteriorly, thus encouraging
anterior dislocation. Lateral (external) rotation and abduction should be avoided (pp. 547-548).
This activity is appropriate for a patient who has hypomobility, not ins
Four months after sustaining a fractured humerus, a patient has reached a plateau. Active and
passive shoulder motions have improved but remain impaired. The patient reports pain and
tenderness when the fracture site is palpated. The patient's temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). What
is the MOST likely cause of the patient's lack of recent progress?
1.Infection of the fractured bone
2.Nonunion of the fracture
3.Heterotopic ossification
4.Compartment syndrome - ANS ✔✔2.Nonunion of the fracture
A patient with a recent history of immobilization has a new onset of unilateral leg swelling with
dependent edema. This condition is MOST likely due to:
1.congestive heart failure.
2.peripheral arterial disease.
3.deep vein thrombosis.
,4.lymphedema. - ANS ✔✔3.deep vein thrombosis.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is CONTRAINDICATED for use on a patient:
1.with a demand pacemaker.
2.with a history of stable angina.
3.with terminal cancer.
4.who is pregnant during labor. - ANS ✔✔1.with a demand pacemaker
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can be performed to treat a pregnant patient but
may not be used over the uterus. Electrical stimulation may be used for pain relief during labor.
In a patient with unilateral hip impairment, a cane is ordinarily used on the:
1.uninvolved side to lessen the muscle force required of the abductors on the involved side.
2.involved side to lessen the muscle force required of the hip abductors on that side.
3.uninvolved side to lessen the muscle force required of the adductors on the involved side.
4.involved side to lessen the muscle force required of the hip abductors on the uninvolved side.
- ANS ✔✔1.uninvolved side to lessen the muscle force required of the abductors on the
involved side.
Use of a cane on the uninvolved side will help to decrease the force required of the hip
abductors on the impaired side when weight-bearing.
A patient has been experiencing postural hypotension when moving from supine to sitting
position. To reduce the risk of hypotension, which of the following actions should be
implemented prior to treatment?
1.Elevate the head of the bed.
2.Place the bed in the Trendelenburg position.
, 3.Remove the patient's compression stockings.
4.Encourage the patient to limit consumption of salt. - ANS ✔✔1.Elevate the head of the bed.
Elevating the head of the bed assists in venous return and decreases the risk of hypotension
Which of the following laboratory reports is MOST useful in determining the effects of chronic
diarrhea and vomiting?
1.Complete blood count
2.Renal function tests
3.Serum electrolytes
4.Serum enzymes - ANS ✔✔3.Serum electrolytes
Body fluid loss associated with chronic diarrhea and vomiting may cause an imbalance in body
chemistry that is best determined by serum electrolyte testing (pp. 37, 773.e95).
The complete blood count is more useful for determining infection, blood loss, and clotting
potential (p. 773.e300). The effects of chronic diarrhea and vomiting are most associated with
loss of fluid, which may cause an imbalance in body chemistry that is best determined by serum
electrolyte testing (p. 773.e95)
2. Gastrointestinal bleeding would increase blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, which is measured
by kidney function tests. This patient has chronic diarrhea and vomiting. (p. 773.e298)
Enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions that cells need to stay alive, but the enzymes are not
destroyed. The types and amounts of enzymes circulating in the bloodstream can indicate which
cells (and therefore which organs) are damaged
Which of the following orthotic irregularities is MOST likely to contribute to a patient exhibiting
foot slap during the early stance phase of gait?
Questions & Answer Explanations)
Four months after sustaining a fractured humerus, a patient has reached a plateau. Active and
passive shoulder motions have improved but remain impaired. The patient reports pain and
tenderness when the fracture site is palpated. The patient's temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). What
is the MOST likely cause of the patient's lack of recent progress?
1.Infection of the fractured bone
2.Nonunion of the fracture
3.Heterotopic ossification
4.Compartment syndrome - ANS ✔✔2.Nonunion of the fracture
Individuals who have a nonunion fracture often have pain, heat, and tenderness at the fracture
site.
When monitoring the vital signs of a person who has mitral valve prolapse, which of the
following findings is MOST likely to be observed?
1.Bradypnea
2.Bradycardia
3.Tachypnea
4.Tachycardia - ANS ✔✔4.Tachycardia
Tachycardia, which is rapid heart beat, is a clinical sign/symptom of mitral valve prolapse due to
dysautonomia
The exercise shown in the photograph is LEAST appropriate for a patient who has which of the
following characteristics?
,1.Anterior glenohumeral instability
2.Forward head posture
3.Limited glenohumeral lateral (external) rotation range of motion
4.Tightness of the pectoralis minor and pectoralis major - ANS ✔✔1.Anterior glenohumeral
instability
Patient in picture was in shoulder flexion an lateral rotation agains the wall.
The activity shown in the photograph will force the humeral head anteriorly, thus encouraging
anterior dislocation. Lateral (external) rotation and abduction should be avoided (pp. 547-548).
This activity is appropriate for a patient who has hypomobility, not ins
Four months after sustaining a fractured humerus, a patient has reached a plateau. Active and
passive shoulder motions have improved but remain impaired. The patient reports pain and
tenderness when the fracture site is palpated. The patient's temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). What
is the MOST likely cause of the patient's lack of recent progress?
1.Infection of the fractured bone
2.Nonunion of the fracture
3.Heterotopic ossification
4.Compartment syndrome - ANS ✔✔2.Nonunion of the fracture
A patient with a recent history of immobilization has a new onset of unilateral leg swelling with
dependent edema. This condition is MOST likely due to:
1.congestive heart failure.
2.peripheral arterial disease.
3.deep vein thrombosis.
,4.lymphedema. - ANS ✔✔3.deep vein thrombosis.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is CONTRAINDICATED for use on a patient:
1.with a demand pacemaker.
2.with a history of stable angina.
3.with terminal cancer.
4.who is pregnant during labor. - ANS ✔✔1.with a demand pacemaker
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can be performed to treat a pregnant patient but
may not be used over the uterus. Electrical stimulation may be used for pain relief during labor.
In a patient with unilateral hip impairment, a cane is ordinarily used on the:
1.uninvolved side to lessen the muscle force required of the abductors on the involved side.
2.involved side to lessen the muscle force required of the hip abductors on that side.
3.uninvolved side to lessen the muscle force required of the adductors on the involved side.
4.involved side to lessen the muscle force required of the hip abductors on the uninvolved side.
- ANS ✔✔1.uninvolved side to lessen the muscle force required of the abductors on the
involved side.
Use of a cane on the uninvolved side will help to decrease the force required of the hip
abductors on the impaired side when weight-bearing.
A patient has been experiencing postural hypotension when moving from supine to sitting
position. To reduce the risk of hypotension, which of the following actions should be
implemented prior to treatment?
1.Elevate the head of the bed.
2.Place the bed in the Trendelenburg position.
, 3.Remove the patient's compression stockings.
4.Encourage the patient to limit consumption of salt. - ANS ✔✔1.Elevate the head of the bed.
Elevating the head of the bed assists in venous return and decreases the risk of hypotension
Which of the following laboratory reports is MOST useful in determining the effects of chronic
diarrhea and vomiting?
1.Complete blood count
2.Renal function tests
3.Serum electrolytes
4.Serum enzymes - ANS ✔✔3.Serum electrolytes
Body fluid loss associated with chronic diarrhea and vomiting may cause an imbalance in body
chemistry that is best determined by serum electrolyte testing (pp. 37, 773.e95).
The complete blood count is more useful for determining infection, blood loss, and clotting
potential (p. 773.e300). The effects of chronic diarrhea and vomiting are most associated with
loss of fluid, which may cause an imbalance in body chemistry that is best determined by serum
electrolyte testing (p. 773.e95)
2. Gastrointestinal bleeding would increase blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, which is measured
by kidney function tests. This patient has chronic diarrhea and vomiting. (p. 773.e298)
Enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions that cells need to stay alive, but the enzymes are not
destroyed. The types and amounts of enzymes circulating in the bloodstream can indicate which
cells (and therefore which organs) are damaged
Which of the following orthotic irregularities is MOST likely to contribute to a patient exhibiting
foot slap during the early stance phase of gait?
