NPTE PT PREP EXAM |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A 6-year-old boy has been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He can walk
unassisted at this time. Which of the following is the MOST APPROPRIATE physical therapy
goal?
A. Inhibition of abnormal muscle tone and reflexes
B. Improvement of strength and muscle tone
C. Prevention of contractures and preservation of strength
D. Evaluation for most appropriate assistive device
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Prevention of contractures and preservation of strength
(Eventually, you will need to evaluate for an AD, but since the child is ambulatory right
now, save this for later, it's not appropriate for right now)
Question 2
A 10-year-old presents with heel pain and swelling that began 5 days ago after a dance
competition. The physical therapist finds a positive squeeze test and limitations in
dorsiflexion. What is the MOST LIKELY diagnosis?
A. Achilles tendonitis
B. Sever's Disease
C. Gastrocnemius strain
D. Calcaneal stress fracture
1
,CORRECT ANSWER
B. Sever's Disease
(Stress fractures can ONLY be diagnosed with imaging, not clinical tests)
Question 3
A 16-year-old male presents to physical therapy with mid-back pain and a hyperkyphotic
posture. X-rays show anterior wedging of the thoracic spine. Which of the following
exercises is MOST APPROPRIATE for managing this condition?
A. Thoracic extension exercises on a stability ball
B. Thoracic flexion exercises in a seated position
C. Stretching of the thoracic extensors
D. Strengthening of the pectoral muscles
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Thoracic extension exercises on a stability ball
Question 4
A 65-year-old individual has limited endurance with no history of cardiorespiratory
problems. Exercise tolerance test was negative for coronary heart disease. What is the
BEST initial exercise prescription for this individual?
A. 90-100% HR max
B. 60-70% HR max
C. 40-50% HR max
D. 30-40% of HR max
CORRECT ANSWER
2
, B. 60-70% HR max
(You don't NEED to use math to solve this question, but you CAN use HRmax estimation
to help you logic through this question)
(HRmax would be 155 here, if you did 50% of the HRmax that would only be about 78
bpm, which is essentially a resting HR, which would be of too LOW intensity)
Question 5
A baseball pitcher presents with right elbow and forearm pain, localized to the lateral
epicondyle. On examination, there is weakness in the wrist extensors and pain with active
wrist extension (forearm pronated, wrist radially deviated). What is the MOST LIKELY
diagnosis?
A. Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)
B. Medial epicondylitis
C. Radial tunnel syndrome
D. Ulnar collateral ligament injury
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)
Question 6
A child with Down's Syndrome has moderate developmental delay, hypotonia, and
incoordination, and can walk with assistance. What is the MOST APPROPRIATE physical
therapy treatment for this patient?
A. Standing and pushing a cart full of toys
B. Sit-to-stands to build strength
3
, C. Rolling and somersault activities
D. Rhythmic stabilization of postural extensors in sitting
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Standing and pushing a cart full of toys
(Interventions should be FUNCTIONAL for kids and should utilize the child's BEST motor
skills)
(Limit extension activities for patients with Down Syndrome)
(Function for kids = PLAYING)
Question 7
A clinician decides to use functional electrical stimulation to improve gait of a patient with
weak tibialis anterior muscle. Stimulation should be initiated in which phase of the gait
cycle?
A. Mid stance to terminal stance
B. Initial contact to mid stance
C. Loading response to mid stance
D. Initial swing to mid swing
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Initial swing to mid swing
Question 8
4
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A 6-year-old boy has been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He can walk
unassisted at this time. Which of the following is the MOST APPROPRIATE physical therapy
goal?
A. Inhibition of abnormal muscle tone and reflexes
B. Improvement of strength and muscle tone
C. Prevention of contractures and preservation of strength
D. Evaluation for most appropriate assistive device
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Prevention of contractures and preservation of strength
(Eventually, you will need to evaluate for an AD, but since the child is ambulatory right
now, save this for later, it's not appropriate for right now)
Question 2
A 10-year-old presents with heel pain and swelling that began 5 days ago after a dance
competition. The physical therapist finds a positive squeeze test and limitations in
dorsiflexion. What is the MOST LIKELY diagnosis?
A. Achilles tendonitis
B. Sever's Disease
C. Gastrocnemius strain
D. Calcaneal stress fracture
1
,CORRECT ANSWER
B. Sever's Disease
(Stress fractures can ONLY be diagnosed with imaging, not clinical tests)
Question 3
A 16-year-old male presents to physical therapy with mid-back pain and a hyperkyphotic
posture. X-rays show anterior wedging of the thoracic spine. Which of the following
exercises is MOST APPROPRIATE for managing this condition?
A. Thoracic extension exercises on a stability ball
B. Thoracic flexion exercises in a seated position
C. Stretching of the thoracic extensors
D. Strengthening of the pectoral muscles
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Thoracic extension exercises on a stability ball
Question 4
A 65-year-old individual has limited endurance with no history of cardiorespiratory
problems. Exercise tolerance test was negative for coronary heart disease. What is the
BEST initial exercise prescription for this individual?
A. 90-100% HR max
B. 60-70% HR max
C. 40-50% HR max
D. 30-40% of HR max
CORRECT ANSWER
2
, B. 60-70% HR max
(You don't NEED to use math to solve this question, but you CAN use HRmax estimation
to help you logic through this question)
(HRmax would be 155 here, if you did 50% of the HRmax that would only be about 78
bpm, which is essentially a resting HR, which would be of too LOW intensity)
Question 5
A baseball pitcher presents with right elbow and forearm pain, localized to the lateral
epicondyle. On examination, there is weakness in the wrist extensors and pain with active
wrist extension (forearm pronated, wrist radially deviated). What is the MOST LIKELY
diagnosis?
A. Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)
B. Medial epicondylitis
C. Radial tunnel syndrome
D. Ulnar collateral ligament injury
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)
Question 6
A child with Down's Syndrome has moderate developmental delay, hypotonia, and
incoordination, and can walk with assistance. What is the MOST APPROPRIATE physical
therapy treatment for this patient?
A. Standing and pushing a cart full of toys
B. Sit-to-stands to build strength
3
, C. Rolling and somersault activities
D. Rhythmic stabilization of postural extensors in sitting
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Standing and pushing a cart full of toys
(Interventions should be FUNCTIONAL for kids and should utilize the child's BEST motor
skills)
(Limit extension activities for patients with Down Syndrome)
(Function for kids = PLAYING)
Question 7
A clinician decides to use functional electrical stimulation to improve gait of a patient with
weak tibialis anterior muscle. Stimulation should be initiated in which phase of the gait
cycle?
A. Mid stance to terminal stance
B. Initial contact to mid stance
C. Loading response to mid stance
D. Initial swing to mid swing
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Initial swing to mid swing
Question 8
4
