NCS Advantage Exam Questions with
Complete Answers
What is the highest level of complete spinal cord injury with which it is possible to
perform uneven transfers with independence? - ANSWER-C7
use of triceps allows them to perform uneven transfers
Which type of hematoma requires the most immediate medical interventions? -
ANSWER-epidrual
occurs between dura mater and skull - can lead to increased ICP and compress
brain tissue
All of the following are causes of knee hyperextension at mid and terminal stance
except:
a. Hip extensor weakness
b. Impaired proprioception
c. Dorsiflexor weakness
d. Quadriceps weakness - ANSWER-c. Dorsiflexor weakness
The ankle dorsiflexors are inactive during mid and terminal stance. During these
phases of gait, the ankle plantarflexors are active to stabilize the knee. Therefore,
ankle dorsiflexor weakness will not directly impact knee position during mid and
terminal stance.
A 46-year-old male with left hemiparesis due to a stroke six months ago presents to
an outpatient physical therapy clinic. The patient is currently using a wheelchair for
all mobility. Examination findings on the left lower extremity include: grossly 3/5
strength, diminished proprioception at the ankle, and range of motion within
functional limits. Which orthosis would be best for this patient?
a. KAFO
b. Rigid AFO
c. Articulating AFO with dorsiflexion assist
d. Articulating AFO with plantarflexion stop - ANSWER-The patient has < 3+/5
quadriceps strength which suggests the need for a KAFO as determined by the
Rancho R.O.A.D.M.A.P.
KAFO - given more information about strength on opposite side, etc the rigid AFO
may have been a choice...
The Freezing of Gait Questionnaire should be administered during "off" states of
individuals with Parkinson's disease to determine the severity of freezing.
, True
False - ANSWER-False
administer during on state
A 42-year-old male presents to an outpatient neurologic physical therapy clinic for a
direct access evaluation. As the patient is completing his registration forms, the
physical therapist notes a 6 Hertz tremor in his dominant hand that was not present
when he entered the waiting area. Based on this observation, the therapist suspects
the patient may have:
a. Cerebellar dysfunction
b. Essential tremor
c. Idiopathic Parkinson's disease
d. Corticobasalganglionic degeneration - ANSWER-essential tremor is associated
with action-postural tremor of 4-7 Hz
Declarative memory involves which part of the brain?
a. Frontal lobe
b. Hypothalamus
c. Hippocampus
d. Amygdala - ANSWER-hippocampus
Why would a patient exhibit a past-retract gait pattern and what is an implication of
this deviation?
a. To achieve adequate foot clearance during swing phase; decreased stance time
b. To achieve heel strike at initial contact; increased demand on the quadriceps
c. To achieve knee stability during loading response; decreased step length
d. To achieve improved trailing limb posture; increased propulsion during
contralateral limb swing - ANSWER-c. To achieve knee stability during loading
response; decreased step length
A past-retract gait pattern is marked by a visible forward then backward movement of
the thigh during terminal swing. During loading response, there is a knee flexion
torque demand and the quadriceps are active to maintain stability. If someone has
weak quadriceps, they may exhibit a past-retract pattern to effectively lock the knee
in extension. The backward movement of the thigh prior to initial contact reduces
step length.
An individual has a positive result on a diagnostic test with a positive likelihood ratio
of 2. The correct interpretation of this result is:
a. Large likelihood that the disorder is present
b. Moderate likelihood that the disorder is present
c. Small likelihood that the disorder is present
d. The test is useless in predicting presence of the disorder - ANSWER-c. Small
likelihood that the disorder is present
2x as likely to score positive on test as someone without the condition
>10 = large, conclusive likelihood
Complete Answers
What is the highest level of complete spinal cord injury with which it is possible to
perform uneven transfers with independence? - ANSWER-C7
use of triceps allows them to perform uneven transfers
Which type of hematoma requires the most immediate medical interventions? -
ANSWER-epidrual
occurs between dura mater and skull - can lead to increased ICP and compress
brain tissue
All of the following are causes of knee hyperextension at mid and terminal stance
except:
a. Hip extensor weakness
b. Impaired proprioception
c. Dorsiflexor weakness
d. Quadriceps weakness - ANSWER-c. Dorsiflexor weakness
The ankle dorsiflexors are inactive during mid and terminal stance. During these
phases of gait, the ankle plantarflexors are active to stabilize the knee. Therefore,
ankle dorsiflexor weakness will not directly impact knee position during mid and
terminal stance.
A 46-year-old male with left hemiparesis due to a stroke six months ago presents to
an outpatient physical therapy clinic. The patient is currently using a wheelchair for
all mobility. Examination findings on the left lower extremity include: grossly 3/5
strength, diminished proprioception at the ankle, and range of motion within
functional limits. Which orthosis would be best for this patient?
a. KAFO
b. Rigid AFO
c. Articulating AFO with dorsiflexion assist
d. Articulating AFO with plantarflexion stop - ANSWER-The patient has < 3+/5
quadriceps strength which suggests the need for a KAFO as determined by the
Rancho R.O.A.D.M.A.P.
KAFO - given more information about strength on opposite side, etc the rigid AFO
may have been a choice...
The Freezing of Gait Questionnaire should be administered during "off" states of
individuals with Parkinson's disease to determine the severity of freezing.
, True
False - ANSWER-False
administer during on state
A 42-year-old male presents to an outpatient neurologic physical therapy clinic for a
direct access evaluation. As the patient is completing his registration forms, the
physical therapist notes a 6 Hertz tremor in his dominant hand that was not present
when he entered the waiting area. Based on this observation, the therapist suspects
the patient may have:
a. Cerebellar dysfunction
b. Essential tremor
c. Idiopathic Parkinson's disease
d. Corticobasalganglionic degeneration - ANSWER-essential tremor is associated
with action-postural tremor of 4-7 Hz
Declarative memory involves which part of the brain?
a. Frontal lobe
b. Hypothalamus
c. Hippocampus
d. Amygdala - ANSWER-hippocampus
Why would a patient exhibit a past-retract gait pattern and what is an implication of
this deviation?
a. To achieve adequate foot clearance during swing phase; decreased stance time
b. To achieve heel strike at initial contact; increased demand on the quadriceps
c. To achieve knee stability during loading response; decreased step length
d. To achieve improved trailing limb posture; increased propulsion during
contralateral limb swing - ANSWER-c. To achieve knee stability during loading
response; decreased step length
A past-retract gait pattern is marked by a visible forward then backward movement of
the thigh during terminal swing. During loading response, there is a knee flexion
torque demand and the quadriceps are active to maintain stability. If someone has
weak quadriceps, they may exhibit a past-retract pattern to effectively lock the knee
in extension. The backward movement of the thigh prior to initial contact reduces
step length.
An individual has a positive result on a diagnostic test with a positive likelihood ratio
of 2. The correct interpretation of this result is:
a. Large likelihood that the disorder is present
b. Moderate likelihood that the disorder is present
c. Small likelihood that the disorder is present
d. The test is useless in predicting presence of the disorder - ANSWER-c. Small
likelihood that the disorder is present
2x as likely to score positive on test as someone without the condition
>10 = large, conclusive likelihood
