NPTE PT EXAM PREP |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A physical therapist works with a patient diagnosed with anterior cruciate ligament
insufficiency. The physician referral specifies closed kinematic chain rehabilitation. Which
exercise would not be appropriate based on the physician order?
A. exercise on a stair machine
B. limited squats to 45 degrees
C. walking backwards on a treadmill
D. isokinetic knee extension and flexion
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:D
Feedback:Isokinetic knee extension and flexion require the distal segment to move freely
in space, as a result the exercise is considered to be an open kinematic chain exercise
Question 2
The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis in its early stages can best be managed in physical
therapy by:
A. Back extension, costal expansion exercises, and maintenance of proper posture to
prevent deformity
B. Cardiovascular conditioning, weight-bearing exercises, and joint protection education
C. Pain management, abdominal strengthening, and breathing exercises
D. Strengthening of anterior chest muscles, costal expansion, and stretching of scapular
stabilizers
CORRECT ANSWER
1
,Answer Key:A
Feedback:Postural re-education will help to prevent further increases in thoracic
kyphosis and costal expansion exercises will improve breathing efficiency. Abdominal
strengthening and stretching of scapular stabilizers are not indicated for ankylosing
spondylitis.
Question 3
A patient diagnosed with right bicipital tendonitis performs upper extremity resistance
exercises using a piece of elastic tubing. What muscle is emphasized when laterally
rotating the involved extremity against resistance?
A. teres minor
B. pectoralis major
C. teres major
D. subscapularis
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key: A
Feedback:The teres minor laterally rotates the shoulder and stabilizes the head of the
humerus in the glenoid. The muscle is innervated by the axillary nerve.
Question 4
A physical therapist identifies the pisiform after palpating along the proximal row of
carpals. Which carpal bone articulates with the pisiform?
A. trapezium
B. trapezoid
C. lunate
D. triquetrum
2
,CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:D
Feedback:The pisiform is located within the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and lies
immediately superior to the triquetrum
Question 5
A therapist identifies signs and symptoms of neurovascular compression after examining a
patient with an upper extremity injury. Which of the following special tests would not be
helpful in identifying the presence of neurovascular compression?
A. Tinel's Sign
B. Froment's Sign
C. Phalen's Test
D. Bunnel-Littler Test
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:D
Feedback:The Bunnel-Littler test can be used to assess several structures acting on the
metacarpophalangeal joint. A positive test is demonstrated by an inability to flex the
proximal interphalangeal joint and is indicative of intrinsic muscle tightness or a
contracture of the joint capsule.
Question 6
Tenderness elicited through palpation on the floor of the anatomical snuffbox can often be
indicative of a fracture. A fracture in the area likely involve the:
A. hamate
B. lunate
C. scaphoid
3
, D. pisiform
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:C
Feedback:The scaphoid, also known as the navicular bone, makes up the floor of the
anatomical snuffbox. The bone is located in the proximal carpal row and is the most
frequently fractured carpal bone.
Question 7
A physical therapist examines a patient's scapulohumeral rhythm as the arm is actively
abducted to 30 degrees. Which description BEST summarizes the action of the scapula and
the clavicle during this movement?
A. Scapula 20 degrees rotation, clavicle 25-35 degrees elevation
B. Scapula 10 degrees rotation, clavicle 15-25 degrees elevation
C. Scapula minimal movement, clavicle 0-5 degrees elevation
D. Scapula 30 degrees rotation, clavicle 5 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:C
Feedback:Initial shoulder abduction (first 30 degrees) occurs primarily at the
glenohumeral joint, while the scapula is attempting to stabilize with the clavicle in slight
elevation.
Question 8
Your patient, a 40-year-old female, presents with complaints of tingling and paresthesias
in the median nerve distribution of the right forearm and hand. The following tests were
found to be negative bilaterally: Adson, hyperabduction, costoclavicular, Phalen's, and the
ulnar nerve Tinel sign. Based on this information, the diagnosis that has not been ruled
out is:
4
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A physical therapist works with a patient diagnosed with anterior cruciate ligament
insufficiency. The physician referral specifies closed kinematic chain rehabilitation. Which
exercise would not be appropriate based on the physician order?
A. exercise on a stair machine
B. limited squats to 45 degrees
C. walking backwards on a treadmill
D. isokinetic knee extension and flexion
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:D
Feedback:Isokinetic knee extension and flexion require the distal segment to move freely
in space, as a result the exercise is considered to be an open kinematic chain exercise
Question 2
The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis in its early stages can best be managed in physical
therapy by:
A. Back extension, costal expansion exercises, and maintenance of proper posture to
prevent deformity
B. Cardiovascular conditioning, weight-bearing exercises, and joint protection education
C. Pain management, abdominal strengthening, and breathing exercises
D. Strengthening of anterior chest muscles, costal expansion, and stretching of scapular
stabilizers
CORRECT ANSWER
1
,Answer Key:A
Feedback:Postural re-education will help to prevent further increases in thoracic
kyphosis and costal expansion exercises will improve breathing efficiency. Abdominal
strengthening and stretching of scapular stabilizers are not indicated for ankylosing
spondylitis.
Question 3
A patient diagnosed with right bicipital tendonitis performs upper extremity resistance
exercises using a piece of elastic tubing. What muscle is emphasized when laterally
rotating the involved extremity against resistance?
A. teres minor
B. pectoralis major
C. teres major
D. subscapularis
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key: A
Feedback:The teres minor laterally rotates the shoulder and stabilizes the head of the
humerus in the glenoid. The muscle is innervated by the axillary nerve.
Question 4
A physical therapist identifies the pisiform after palpating along the proximal row of
carpals. Which carpal bone articulates with the pisiform?
A. trapezium
B. trapezoid
C. lunate
D. triquetrum
2
,CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:D
Feedback:The pisiform is located within the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and lies
immediately superior to the triquetrum
Question 5
A therapist identifies signs and symptoms of neurovascular compression after examining a
patient with an upper extremity injury. Which of the following special tests would not be
helpful in identifying the presence of neurovascular compression?
A. Tinel's Sign
B. Froment's Sign
C. Phalen's Test
D. Bunnel-Littler Test
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:D
Feedback:The Bunnel-Littler test can be used to assess several structures acting on the
metacarpophalangeal joint. A positive test is demonstrated by an inability to flex the
proximal interphalangeal joint and is indicative of intrinsic muscle tightness or a
contracture of the joint capsule.
Question 6
Tenderness elicited through palpation on the floor of the anatomical snuffbox can often be
indicative of a fracture. A fracture in the area likely involve the:
A. hamate
B. lunate
C. scaphoid
3
, D. pisiform
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:C
Feedback:The scaphoid, also known as the navicular bone, makes up the floor of the
anatomical snuffbox. The bone is located in the proximal carpal row and is the most
frequently fractured carpal bone.
Question 7
A physical therapist examines a patient's scapulohumeral rhythm as the arm is actively
abducted to 30 degrees. Which description BEST summarizes the action of the scapula and
the clavicle during this movement?
A. Scapula 20 degrees rotation, clavicle 25-35 degrees elevation
B. Scapula 10 degrees rotation, clavicle 15-25 degrees elevation
C. Scapula minimal movement, clavicle 0-5 degrees elevation
D. Scapula 30 degrees rotation, clavicle 5 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer Key:C
Feedback:Initial shoulder abduction (first 30 degrees) occurs primarily at the
glenohumeral joint, while the scapula is attempting to stabilize with the clavicle in slight
elevation.
Question 8
Your patient, a 40-year-old female, presents with complaints of tingling and paresthesias
in the median nerve distribution of the right forearm and hand. The following tests were
found to be negative bilaterally: Adson, hyperabduction, costoclavicular, Phalen's, and the
ulnar nerve Tinel sign. Based on this information, the diagnosis that has not been ruled
out is:
4
