Union Pacific Railroad Exam Questions and
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FSBPT NPTE Practice Exam
Verified Questions & Answers (2026/2027 Update)
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR & PULMONARY SYSTEMS
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with a
chronic cough, dyspnea on exertion, and barrel chest. Which of the following is
the MOST appropriate positioning strategy for this patient to improve
ventilation?
A. Supine with legs elevated
B. Prone with head elevated
C. Sitting upright with arms supported on an overbed table
D. Side-lying on the affected side
Correct Answer: C. Sitting upright with arms supported on an overbed table.
Rationale: The tripod position (sitting upright with arms supported) enhances
ventilation in COPD patients by facilitating accessory muscle use, improving
diaphragmatic excursion, and optimizing airway mechanics. This position reduces
the work of breathing and improves ventilation-perfusion matching .
2. A PTA is monitoring a patient's vital signs during ambulation. The patient's
heart rate increases from 78 bpm at rest to 110 bpm during exercise. Which of
the following BEST describes the heart rate response to acute exercise?
,A. Stroke volume decreases to compensate for increased heart rate
B. Cardiac output increases proportionally to the increase in heart rate
C. Mean arterial pressure increases primarily due to decreased peripheral
resistance
D. Heart rate increases while stroke volume initially decreases
Correct Answer: B. Cardiac output increases proportionally to the increase in
heart rate. Rationale: During acute exercise, cardiac output (CO = Heart Rate ×
Stroke Volume) increases to meet the metabolic demands of tissues. In a healthy
individual, both heart rate and stroke volume increase, leading to a significant rise
in cardiac output .
3. A patient who had a myocardial infarction 4 weeks ago is in phase II cardiac
rehabilitation. During exercise, the patient reports mild chest discomfort that is
relieved by rest. The PTA should:
A. Continue exercise at a reduced intensity
B. Stop exercise immediately and report to supervising PT
C. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
D. Increase oxygen flow rate
Correct Answer: B. Stop exercise immediately and report to supervising PT.
Rationale: Chest discomfort in a patient with recent MI is a significant warning
sign that requires immediate cessation of activity. The PTA must stop the exercise
and notify the supervising physical therapist for further evaluation. Continuing
exercise could precipitate a cardiac event .
4. Which of the following assessment tools is MOST appropriate for measuring
exercise capacity in a patient with chronic heart failure?
A. Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale
B. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
,C. Manual muscle testing
D. Goniometry
Correct Answer: B. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Rationale: The 6-Minute Walk
Test is a validated, practical measure of functional exercise capacity in patients
with heart failure and other cardiopulmonary conditions. It reflects the patient's
ability to perform activities of daily living .
5. A patient with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air at rest. The
physician has ordered oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The PTA should:
A. Apply the oxygen as ordered and monitor saturation
B. Apply oxygen only if the patient becomes short of breath
C. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
D. Refuse to apply oxygen as it requires a prescription
Correct Answer: A. Apply the oxygen as ordered and monitor saturation.
Rationale: The physician has ordered oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula, and the
patient's saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia. The PTA should apply the oxygen
as ordered and monitor the patient's response .
6. A patient reports postural hypotension when moving from supine to sitting
position. To reduce the risk of hypotension, which action should be
implemented prior to treatment?
A. Elevate the head of the bed
B. Place the bed in Trendelenburg position
C. Remove the patient's compression stockings
D. Encourage the patient to limit consumption of salt
Correct Answer: A. Elevate the head of the bed. Rationale: Elevating the head of
the bed assists in venous return and decreases the risk of hypotension when
moving from supine to sitting .
, 7. Which of the following laboratory reports is MOST useful in determining the
effects of chronic diarrhea and vomiting?
A. Complete blood count
B. Renal function tests
C. Serum electrolytes
D. Serum enzymes
Correct Answer: C. Serum electrolytes. Rationale: Body fluid loss associated with
chronic diarrhea and vomiting may cause an imbalance in body chemistry that is
best determined by serum electrolyte testing .
8. Which of the following orthotic irregularities is MOST likely to contribute to a
patient exhibiting foot slap during the early stance phase of gait?
A. Inadequate dorsiflexion stop
B. Inadequate dorsiflexion assist
C. Inadequate plantar flexion assist
D. Inadequate transverse plane alignment
Correct Answer: B. Inadequate dorsiflexion assist. Rationale: An inadequate
dorsiflexion assist will cause less assistance with dorsiflexion, which could cause
foot slap .
9. The symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, pruritus, and peripheral neuropathy
are MOST consistent with which disorder?
A. Type 2 diabetes
B. Lymphedema
C. Myocardial infarction
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Answers| Latest Update| Pass Guaranteed
FSBPT NPTE Practice Exam
Verified Questions & Answers (2026/2027 Update)
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR & PULMONARY SYSTEMS
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with a
chronic cough, dyspnea on exertion, and barrel chest. Which of the following is
the MOST appropriate positioning strategy for this patient to improve
ventilation?
A. Supine with legs elevated
B. Prone with head elevated
C. Sitting upright with arms supported on an overbed table
D. Side-lying on the affected side
Correct Answer: C. Sitting upright with arms supported on an overbed table.
Rationale: The tripod position (sitting upright with arms supported) enhances
ventilation in COPD patients by facilitating accessory muscle use, improving
diaphragmatic excursion, and optimizing airway mechanics. This position reduces
the work of breathing and improves ventilation-perfusion matching .
2. A PTA is monitoring a patient's vital signs during ambulation. The patient's
heart rate increases from 78 bpm at rest to 110 bpm during exercise. Which of
the following BEST describes the heart rate response to acute exercise?
,A. Stroke volume decreases to compensate for increased heart rate
B. Cardiac output increases proportionally to the increase in heart rate
C. Mean arterial pressure increases primarily due to decreased peripheral
resistance
D. Heart rate increases while stroke volume initially decreases
Correct Answer: B. Cardiac output increases proportionally to the increase in
heart rate. Rationale: During acute exercise, cardiac output (CO = Heart Rate ×
Stroke Volume) increases to meet the metabolic demands of tissues. In a healthy
individual, both heart rate and stroke volume increase, leading to a significant rise
in cardiac output .
3. A patient who had a myocardial infarction 4 weeks ago is in phase II cardiac
rehabilitation. During exercise, the patient reports mild chest discomfort that is
relieved by rest. The PTA should:
A. Continue exercise at a reduced intensity
B. Stop exercise immediately and report to supervising PT
C. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
D. Increase oxygen flow rate
Correct Answer: B. Stop exercise immediately and report to supervising PT.
Rationale: Chest discomfort in a patient with recent MI is a significant warning
sign that requires immediate cessation of activity. The PTA must stop the exercise
and notify the supervising physical therapist for further evaluation. Continuing
exercise could precipitate a cardiac event .
4. Which of the following assessment tools is MOST appropriate for measuring
exercise capacity in a patient with chronic heart failure?
A. Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale
B. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
,C. Manual muscle testing
D. Goniometry
Correct Answer: B. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Rationale: The 6-Minute Walk
Test is a validated, practical measure of functional exercise capacity in patients
with heart failure and other cardiopulmonary conditions. It reflects the patient's
ability to perform activities of daily living .
5. A patient with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air at rest. The
physician has ordered oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The PTA should:
A. Apply the oxygen as ordered and monitor saturation
B. Apply oxygen only if the patient becomes short of breath
C. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
D. Refuse to apply oxygen as it requires a prescription
Correct Answer: A. Apply the oxygen as ordered and monitor saturation.
Rationale: The physician has ordered oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula, and the
patient's saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia. The PTA should apply the oxygen
as ordered and monitor the patient's response .
6. A patient reports postural hypotension when moving from supine to sitting
position. To reduce the risk of hypotension, which action should be
implemented prior to treatment?
A. Elevate the head of the bed
B. Place the bed in Trendelenburg position
C. Remove the patient's compression stockings
D. Encourage the patient to limit consumption of salt
Correct Answer: A. Elevate the head of the bed. Rationale: Elevating the head of
the bed assists in venous return and decreases the risk of hypotension when
moving from supine to sitting .
, 7. Which of the following laboratory reports is MOST useful in determining the
effects of chronic diarrhea and vomiting?
A. Complete blood count
B. Renal function tests
C. Serum electrolytes
D. Serum enzymes
Correct Answer: C. Serum electrolytes. Rationale: Body fluid loss associated with
chronic diarrhea and vomiting may cause an imbalance in body chemistry that is
best determined by serum electrolyte testing .
8. Which of the following orthotic irregularities is MOST likely to contribute to a
patient exhibiting foot slap during the early stance phase of gait?
A. Inadequate dorsiflexion stop
B. Inadequate dorsiflexion assist
C. Inadequate plantar flexion assist
D. Inadequate transverse plane alignment
Correct Answer: B. Inadequate dorsiflexion assist. Rationale: An inadequate
dorsiflexion assist will cause less assistance with dorsiflexion, which could cause
foot slap .
9. The symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, pruritus, and peripheral neuropathy
are MOST consistent with which disorder?
A. Type 2 diabetes
B. Lymphedema
C. Myocardial infarction
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
