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NPTE -Exam 1 Practice Questions
And Verified Answers 2026
A physical therapist instructs a patient with complex regional pain syndrome in a
home exercise program. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate intensity
and duration guideline for the program?
1.Pain free activities, short periods of time
2.Pain free activities, extended periods of time
3.Exacerbating activities, short periods of time
4.Exacerbating activities, extended periods of time - correct-answer - Pain free
activities, short periods of time
A patient with complex regional pain syndrome must utilize pain tolerance to
guide interventions in order to avoid symptom exacerbation which can
significantly delay healing.
1.Therapeutic activities that are part of a patient's home care routine (e.g., stress
loading, desensitization techniques) should be performed frequently, for short
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periods of time, and to the patient's tolerance. The patient should be encouraged
to perform only activities that are pain free in order to limit the risk of symptom
exacerbation.
A physical therapist prepares to instruct a patient in diaphragmatic breathing.
Which of the following conditions would MOST warrant the use of this
intervention?
1.Hyperoxemia
2.Bradypnea
3.Atelectasis
4.Consolidation - correct-answer - Atelectasis
Diaphragmatic breathing is a breathing technique that can decrease the work of
breathing by lowering respiratory rate, increasing tidal volume, and decreasing
the use of accessory muscles of respiration by facilitating use of the diaphragm.
Patient instructions for diaphragmatic breathing are as follows: "Breathe in slowly
through your nose so that your stomach moves out against your hand. The hand
on your chest should remain as still as possible. Feel your abdomen gently rise
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into your hand. Exhale through pursed lips; let the hand on your abdomen
descend, while the hand on your upper chest remains still."
Atelectasis is a condition in which one or more areas of the lungs collapse or do
not inflate properly. Treatment varies based on the cause of the atelectasis,
however, it often includes breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing,
changing positions, and airway clearance techniques to assist with lung
expansion.
A patient is diagnosed with sciatica secondary to a posterior derangement of the
L5 disk. After assuming a prone press-up position in a sequence of trunk extension
exercises, the patient reports increased centralization of symptoms in the lower
back. The physical therapist's MOST appropriate response would be to instruct
the patient to do which of the following?
1.Return to a prone position
2.Return to a prone on elbows position
3.Continue to provide feedback regarding symptom changes
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4.Discontinue all activities that emphasize extension - correct-answer - Continue
to provide feedback regarding symptom changes
Centralized pain is considered a desirable outcome of the end-range loading
achieved during a prone press-up. Patients may experience increased discomfort
or limited range of motion if the gluteal muscles are not relaxed during this
activity. The physical therapist should cue the patient to relax these muscles in
order to best delineate symptom reports.
Recession of radicular signs and centralization of pain complaints are considered a
positive sign with regard to the described diagnosis. The physical therapist should
reassure the patient that centralization of symptoms is desirable and continue to
monitor the patient's response.
A 65-year-old female was referred to physical therapy for mobilization of her left
wrist. The patient sustained a Colles' fracture eight weeks ago and although the
fracture is well healed the patient continues to experience significant wrist
NPTE -Exam 1 Practice Questions
And Verified Answers 2026
A physical therapist instructs a patient with complex regional pain syndrome in a
home exercise program. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate intensity
and duration guideline for the program?
1.Pain free activities, short periods of time
2.Pain free activities, extended periods of time
3.Exacerbating activities, short periods of time
4.Exacerbating activities, extended periods of time - correct-answer - Pain free
activities, short periods of time
A patient with complex regional pain syndrome must utilize pain tolerance to
guide interventions in order to avoid symptom exacerbation which can
significantly delay healing.
1.Therapeutic activities that are part of a patient's home care routine (e.g., stress
loading, desensitization techniques) should be performed frequently, for short
,2|Page
periods of time, and to the patient's tolerance. The patient should be encouraged
to perform only activities that are pain free in order to limit the risk of symptom
exacerbation.
A physical therapist prepares to instruct a patient in diaphragmatic breathing.
Which of the following conditions would MOST warrant the use of this
intervention?
1.Hyperoxemia
2.Bradypnea
3.Atelectasis
4.Consolidation - correct-answer - Atelectasis
Diaphragmatic breathing is a breathing technique that can decrease the work of
breathing by lowering respiratory rate, increasing tidal volume, and decreasing
the use of accessory muscles of respiration by facilitating use of the diaphragm.
Patient instructions for diaphragmatic breathing are as follows: "Breathe in slowly
through your nose so that your stomach moves out against your hand. The hand
on your chest should remain as still as possible. Feel your abdomen gently rise
,3|Page
into your hand. Exhale through pursed lips; let the hand on your abdomen
descend, while the hand on your upper chest remains still."
Atelectasis is a condition in which one or more areas of the lungs collapse or do
not inflate properly. Treatment varies based on the cause of the atelectasis,
however, it often includes breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing,
changing positions, and airway clearance techniques to assist with lung
expansion.
A patient is diagnosed with sciatica secondary to a posterior derangement of the
L5 disk. After assuming a prone press-up position in a sequence of trunk extension
exercises, the patient reports increased centralization of symptoms in the lower
back. The physical therapist's MOST appropriate response would be to instruct
the patient to do which of the following?
1.Return to a prone position
2.Return to a prone on elbows position
3.Continue to provide feedback regarding symptom changes
, 4|Page
4.Discontinue all activities that emphasize extension - correct-answer - Continue
to provide feedback regarding symptom changes
Centralized pain is considered a desirable outcome of the end-range loading
achieved during a prone press-up. Patients may experience increased discomfort
or limited range of motion if the gluteal muscles are not relaxed during this
activity. The physical therapist should cue the patient to relax these muscles in
order to best delineate symptom reports.
Recession of radicular signs and centralization of pain complaints are considered a
positive sign with regard to the described diagnosis. The physical therapist should
reassure the patient that centralization of symptoms is desirable and continue to
monitor the patient's response.
A 65-year-old female was referred to physical therapy for mobilization of her left
wrist. The patient sustained a Colles' fracture eight weeks ago and although the
fracture is well healed the patient continues to experience significant wrist
