ASD UPDATED TEST CORE CONCEPTS AND
THEORY REVIEW 2026
◉ A 7-year-old child is brought to the emergency department
following a fall from a playground structure. The child is currently in
a coma and demonstrates an initial motor response, verbal
performance, and eye opening that results in a sum score of 10 on
the Pediatric Coma Scale. How should the physical therapist classify
the severity of this traumatic brain injury? A. Moderate brain injury.
B. Mild brain injury. C. Severe brain injury. D. Very severe brain
injury.
Answer: A
◉ A physical therapist is examining a 20-month-old infant in an
inpatient rehabilitation unit following a severe ABI. The therapist
observes that the child blinks when a strong light crosses their field
of vision and turns their head toward loud sounds, but does not yet
interact with toys or show awareness of family members. According
to the Rancho Pediatric Levels of Consciousness, this child is most
likely at which level? A. Level I: Interacts with environment. B. Level
II: Demonstrates awareness of environment. C. Level III: Gives
localized response to sensory stimuli. D. Level IV: Gives generalized
response to sensory stimuli.
Answer: C
,◉ A 10-year-old child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is
being evaluated for their functional prognosis. The therapist notes
that the child currently takes 11 seconds to complete a 10-meter
walk/run test. Based on established clinical markers, what is the
most likely functional prediction for this patient over the next 12
months? A. The child will maintain independent ambulation for at
least two more years. B. The child is at a high risk of losing the
ability to walk independently. C. The child will transition from
community ambulation to household ambulation only. D. The child is
likely to regain speed with a new corticosteroid regimen.
Answer: B
◉ An 11-year-old child with a severe TBI who has been immobilized
for several weeks presents with a sudden, significant decrease in
passive range of motion at the hip, accompanied by pain during
movement. The therapist suspects periarticular new bone formation
(PNBF). Which of the following diagnostic findings would provide
the earliest clinical evidence of this pathology? A. Evidence of
ossification on plain radiographs. B. Increased muscle tone on the
Modified Ashworth Scale. C. Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase
levels. D. Visible swelling and warmth over the joint.
Answer: C
◉ During a preparticipation physical examination, a 14-year-old
female athlete is found to have significant ligamentous laxity and a
history of non-contact knee pain. According to epidemiological data
on sex differences in pediatric sports injuries, this athlete is at a
,higher risk for which of the following compared to her male
counterparts? A. Overuse injuries and ACL ruptures. B. Upper
extremity traumatic fractures. C. Traumatic shoulder dislocations. D.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee.
Answer: A
◉ An adolescent with a spinal cord injury at the T4 level suddenly
reports a severe, pounding headache and is found to be profusely
sweating above the level of the lesion. Their systolic blood pressure
is 25 mm Hg above their baseline. What is the most appropriate
immediate action for the physical therapist to take? A. Lower the
patient into a supine position to increase cerebral blood flow. B.
Immediately initiate a quad-cough to clear a suspected airway
obstruction. C. Perform a rapid sensory test to determine if the
neurological level has ascended. D. Elevate the patient's head and
check the bladder drainage system for a kink.
Answer: D
◉ A 4-year-old child is admitted to rehabilitation after a near-
drowning incident. The medical report indicates significant hypoxic-
ischemic injury. Which areas of the brain should the physical
therapist expect to be most affected by this type of tissue oxygen
deficiency? A. Medulla oblongata and spinal cord. B. Cerebellar
peduncles and frontal lobe. C. Pons and corpus callosum. D.
Hippocampus and basal ganglia.
Answer: D
, ◉ A therapist is treating a 12-year-old with a significant elbow
flexion contracture following a brain injury. The therapist decides to
use serial casting to improve range of motion. Which of the following
best describes the correct application of a cast for a two-joint muscle
contracture? A. Apply the cast in a lengthened position while the
muscle is not stretched over both joints simultaneously. B. Apply the
cast at the maximal end-range of both joints to ensure total muscle
elongation. C. Apply the cast with the muscle in a shortened position
at one joint to allow for better molded contact. D. Apply the cast only
while the patient is under sedation to prevent reflexive guarding.
Answer: A
◉ A child remains in a minimally conscious state (Rancho Pediatric
Level V) following a TBI. To promote bone loading, stimulate
bowel/bladder function, and improve lung expansion, the physical
therapist plans a standing protocol using a tilt table. What is the
recommended dosage for this intervention to achieve these clinical
goals? A. 20 minutes, twice per week. B. 30 minutes, three times per
week. C. 45 to 60 minutes, five times per week. D. 90 minutes, daily.
Answer: C
◉ A 10-year-old child with a spinal cord injury at the T5 level is
performing seated balance activities when they become unusually
irritable and sleepy. The therapist notes the patient's skin is flushed
above the injury and they have a sudden spike in blood pressure.
After sitting the patient up, which noxious stimulus should be
investigated first as the most common trigger? A. A small skin tear
THEORY REVIEW 2026
◉ A 7-year-old child is brought to the emergency department
following a fall from a playground structure. The child is currently in
a coma and demonstrates an initial motor response, verbal
performance, and eye opening that results in a sum score of 10 on
the Pediatric Coma Scale. How should the physical therapist classify
the severity of this traumatic brain injury? A. Moderate brain injury.
B. Mild brain injury. C. Severe brain injury. D. Very severe brain
injury.
Answer: A
◉ A physical therapist is examining a 20-month-old infant in an
inpatient rehabilitation unit following a severe ABI. The therapist
observes that the child blinks when a strong light crosses their field
of vision and turns their head toward loud sounds, but does not yet
interact with toys or show awareness of family members. According
to the Rancho Pediatric Levels of Consciousness, this child is most
likely at which level? A. Level I: Interacts with environment. B. Level
II: Demonstrates awareness of environment. C. Level III: Gives
localized response to sensory stimuli. D. Level IV: Gives generalized
response to sensory stimuli.
Answer: C
,◉ A 10-year-old child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is
being evaluated for their functional prognosis. The therapist notes
that the child currently takes 11 seconds to complete a 10-meter
walk/run test. Based on established clinical markers, what is the
most likely functional prediction for this patient over the next 12
months? A. The child will maintain independent ambulation for at
least two more years. B. The child is at a high risk of losing the
ability to walk independently. C. The child will transition from
community ambulation to household ambulation only. D. The child is
likely to regain speed with a new corticosteroid regimen.
Answer: B
◉ An 11-year-old child with a severe TBI who has been immobilized
for several weeks presents with a sudden, significant decrease in
passive range of motion at the hip, accompanied by pain during
movement. The therapist suspects periarticular new bone formation
(PNBF). Which of the following diagnostic findings would provide
the earliest clinical evidence of this pathology? A. Evidence of
ossification on plain radiographs. B. Increased muscle tone on the
Modified Ashworth Scale. C. Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase
levels. D. Visible swelling and warmth over the joint.
Answer: C
◉ During a preparticipation physical examination, a 14-year-old
female athlete is found to have significant ligamentous laxity and a
history of non-contact knee pain. According to epidemiological data
on sex differences in pediatric sports injuries, this athlete is at a
,higher risk for which of the following compared to her male
counterparts? A. Overuse injuries and ACL ruptures. B. Upper
extremity traumatic fractures. C. Traumatic shoulder dislocations. D.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee.
Answer: A
◉ An adolescent with a spinal cord injury at the T4 level suddenly
reports a severe, pounding headache and is found to be profusely
sweating above the level of the lesion. Their systolic blood pressure
is 25 mm Hg above their baseline. What is the most appropriate
immediate action for the physical therapist to take? A. Lower the
patient into a supine position to increase cerebral blood flow. B.
Immediately initiate a quad-cough to clear a suspected airway
obstruction. C. Perform a rapid sensory test to determine if the
neurological level has ascended. D. Elevate the patient's head and
check the bladder drainage system for a kink.
Answer: D
◉ A 4-year-old child is admitted to rehabilitation after a near-
drowning incident. The medical report indicates significant hypoxic-
ischemic injury. Which areas of the brain should the physical
therapist expect to be most affected by this type of tissue oxygen
deficiency? A. Medulla oblongata and spinal cord. B. Cerebellar
peduncles and frontal lobe. C. Pons and corpus callosum. D.
Hippocampus and basal ganglia.
Answer: D
, ◉ A therapist is treating a 12-year-old with a significant elbow
flexion contracture following a brain injury. The therapist decides to
use serial casting to improve range of motion. Which of the following
best describes the correct application of a cast for a two-joint muscle
contracture? A. Apply the cast in a lengthened position while the
muscle is not stretched over both joints simultaneously. B. Apply the
cast at the maximal end-range of both joints to ensure total muscle
elongation. C. Apply the cast with the muscle in a shortened position
at one joint to allow for better molded contact. D. Apply the cast only
while the patient is under sedation to prevent reflexive guarding.
Answer: A
◉ A child remains in a minimally conscious state (Rancho Pediatric
Level V) following a TBI. To promote bone loading, stimulate
bowel/bladder function, and improve lung expansion, the physical
therapist plans a standing protocol using a tilt table. What is the
recommended dosage for this intervention to achieve these clinical
goals? A. 20 minutes, twice per week. B. 30 minutes, three times per
week. C. 45 to 60 minutes, five times per week. D. 90 minutes, daily.
Answer: C
◉ A 10-year-old child with a spinal cord injury at the T5 level is
performing seated balance activities when they become unusually
irritable and sleepy. The therapist notes the patient's skin is flushed
above the injury and they have a sudden spike in blood pressure.
After sitting the patient up, which noxious stimulus should be
investigated first as the most common trigger? A. A small skin tear
