California Physical Therapy (NPTE-style)
Exam Practice Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A patient post-stroke presents with right-sided hemiparesis. Which
intervention is MOST appropriate in the acute phase?
A. High-resistance strengthening
B. Bed mobility and positioning
C. Plyometric training
D. Long-distance ambulation training
Answer: B
Rationale: Bed mobility and proper positioning are priorities in the
acute phase to prevent complications such as pressure sores and
contractures while promoting early functional recovery.
2. Which muscle is primarily responsible for initiating shoulder
abduction?
A. Deltoid
B. Supraspinatus
C. Infraspinatus
D. Teres minor
,Answer: B
Rationale: The supraspinatus initiates the first 15 degrees of shoulder
abduction before the deltoid takes over.
3. A positive Lachman test indicates injury to which structure?
A. Posterior cruciate ligament
B. Medial meniscus
C. Anterior cruciate ligament
D. Lateral collateral ligament
Answer: C
Rationale: The Lachman test assesses anterior translation of the tibia,
indicating ACL integrity.
4. Which modality is MOST appropriate for acute inflammation
within 48 hours of injury?
A. Ultrasound
B. Heat pack
C. Cryotherapy
D. Deep friction massage
Answer: C
Rationale: Cryotherapy reduces edema, pain, and metabolic demand
in the acute inflammatory phase.
5. A patient with Parkinson’s disease commonly demonstrates which
gait pattern?
, A. Scissor gait
B. Festinating gait
C. Steppage gait
D. Ataxic gait
Answer: B
Rationale: Festinating gait is characterized by short, shuffling steps
and forward propulsion common in Parkinson’s disease.
6. Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial expression?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN IX
D. CN X
Answer: B
Rationale: The facial nerve (CN VII) controls muscles of facial
expression.
7. What is the normal resting heart rate range for adults?
A. 10–40 bpm
B. 40–60 bpm
C. 60–100 bpm
D. 100–140 bpm
Answer: C
Rationale: A normal adult resting heart rate is typically 60–100 beats
per minute.
, 8. Which condition is associated with "claw hand" deformity?
A. Radial nerve injury
B. Ulnar nerve injury
C. Median nerve injury
D. Musculocutaneous nerve injury
Answer: B
Rationale: Ulnar nerve injury leads to intrinsic hand muscle weakness
causing clawing of digits 4 and 5.
9. Which energy system is used during a 100-meter sprint?
A. Oxidative system
B. Aerobic glycolysis
C. ATP-PC system
D. Krebs cycle
Answer: C
Rationale: The ATP-PC system provides immediate energy for short,
high-intensity activities like sprinting.
10. Which reflex is typically absent in a lower motor neuron
lesion?
A. Hyperactive reflex
B. Normal reflex
C. Hyporeflexia or areflexia
D. Clonus only
Exam Practice Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf.
1. A patient post-stroke presents with right-sided hemiparesis. Which
intervention is MOST appropriate in the acute phase?
A. High-resistance strengthening
B. Bed mobility and positioning
C. Plyometric training
D. Long-distance ambulation training
Answer: B
Rationale: Bed mobility and proper positioning are priorities in the
acute phase to prevent complications such as pressure sores and
contractures while promoting early functional recovery.
2. Which muscle is primarily responsible for initiating shoulder
abduction?
A. Deltoid
B. Supraspinatus
C. Infraspinatus
D. Teres minor
,Answer: B
Rationale: The supraspinatus initiates the first 15 degrees of shoulder
abduction before the deltoid takes over.
3. A positive Lachman test indicates injury to which structure?
A. Posterior cruciate ligament
B. Medial meniscus
C. Anterior cruciate ligament
D. Lateral collateral ligament
Answer: C
Rationale: The Lachman test assesses anterior translation of the tibia,
indicating ACL integrity.
4. Which modality is MOST appropriate for acute inflammation
within 48 hours of injury?
A. Ultrasound
B. Heat pack
C. Cryotherapy
D. Deep friction massage
Answer: C
Rationale: Cryotherapy reduces edema, pain, and metabolic demand
in the acute inflammatory phase.
5. A patient with Parkinson’s disease commonly demonstrates which
gait pattern?
, A. Scissor gait
B. Festinating gait
C. Steppage gait
D. Ataxic gait
Answer: B
Rationale: Festinating gait is characterized by short, shuffling steps
and forward propulsion common in Parkinson’s disease.
6. Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial expression?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN IX
D. CN X
Answer: B
Rationale: The facial nerve (CN VII) controls muscles of facial
expression.
7. What is the normal resting heart rate range for adults?
A. 10–40 bpm
B. 40–60 bpm
C. 60–100 bpm
D. 100–140 bpm
Answer: C
Rationale: A normal adult resting heart rate is typically 60–100 beats
per minute.
, 8. Which condition is associated with "claw hand" deformity?
A. Radial nerve injury
B. Ulnar nerve injury
C. Median nerve injury
D. Musculocutaneous nerve injury
Answer: B
Rationale: Ulnar nerve injury leads to intrinsic hand muscle weakness
causing clawing of digits 4 and 5.
9. Which energy system is used during a 100-meter sprint?
A. Oxidative system
B. Aerobic glycolysis
C. ATP-PC system
D. Krebs cycle
Answer: C
Rationale: The ATP-PC system provides immediate energy for short,
high-intensity activities like sprinting.
10. Which reflex is typically absent in a lower motor neuron
lesion?
A. Hyperactive reflex
B. Normal reflex
C. Hyporeflexia or areflexia
D. Clonus only
