NPTE PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
You are testing a patient's deep tendon reflexes during an evaluation for low back pain
in outpatient physical therapy. Which of the following is MOST likely to be consistent
with a false negative patellar reflex?
A. 2+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
B. 1+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed S1 nerve root syndrome
C. 3+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
D. 2+ reflex and the patient does not have L4 nerve root syndrome - Answer-A. 2+
reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
2+ reflexes are considered normal according to the reflex grading system. A false
negative indicates that the test is normal but the patient has pathology. The correct
answer states that the reflexes are normal but the patient has a pathology that affects
the L4 nerve root.
A PT examines a pt complaining of tingling into the 4th and 5th digits with muscle
wasting over the hypothenar eminence. The PT suspects ulnar neuropathy and decides
to examine the integrity of the nerve. Which of the following testing procedures would be
the best?
A. Have the pt flex both wrists while holding them for one minute
B. Have the pt make a fist around the thumb and perform ulnar deviation
C. Have the pt grasp a piece of paper between their first and second fingers while the
examiner pulls the paper and monitors the first finger
D. Have the pt perform extension of the 3rd digit of the hand against examiner
resistance - Answer-C. Have the pt grasp a piece of paper between their first and
second fingers while the examiner pulls the paper and monitors the first finger
This is a test for the Froment's sign which checks the ulnar nerve. If the pt flexes their
thumb when resisting the pull they may have a problem with the ulnar nerve.
A 48-year-old male patient reports of SOB and swelling in LE's. During the baseline
examination, the PT examines patient's heart sounds before starting an exercise
program. Which valve is being auscultated at #5 in the picture?
A. Tricuspid valve
B. Pulmonary valve
C. Mitral valve
D. Aortic valve - Answer-C. Mitral valve
"All Physical Therapists Make $2245 per week"
,Aortic- 2nd intercostal on R
Pulmonary- 2nd intercostal on L
Tricuspid- 4th intercostal on L
Mitral- 5th intercostal on L
A low back pain patient's Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score was 18 points. Four
weeks later, the score was 50 points. Which of the following is the BEST option for the
physical therapist?
A. Continue PT until the pt returns to a score of 60
B. Discharge the pt as there is an improvement
C. Document the improvement and start HEP
D. Ask the pt to have a physician consult - Answer-D. Ask the pt to have a physician
consult
The higher the score, the more disability they have. So this patient has worsened over
the last 4 weeks.
A 44 y/o female pt arrived to a clinic after sustaining a fall involving a hand/wrist injury.
Upon examination, the PT observed the radius dislocated in a volar direction. Which of
the following conditions would MOST likely match this description?
A. Smith's Fx
B. Colle's Fx
C. Scaphoid Fx
D. Dinner fork deformity - Answer-A. Smith's Fx
Colle's Fx- the radius goes in the DORSAL direction
Dinner fork deformity- this is another name for Colle's Fx
A PT is evaluating a 34 y/o female pt with a vague diagnosis of LBP. The pt displays a
positive Thomas test. Which sub phase of the gait cycle will MOST likely show limitation
in the hip ROM?
A. Loading response
B. Initial contact
C. Midstance
D. Terminal stance - Answer-D. Terminal stance
The hip flexors will try to stop the hip from going into extension
A pt arrived at an outpatient clinic with chief c/o LBP. Upon further evaluation, the pt
mentioned taking calcium channel blockers. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY
accurate regarding the medication effect on the cardiovascular system?
,A. Constrict coronary blood vessels
B. Dilates coronary blood vessels
C. Activates coronary vasospasms
D. No effect towards coronary vasospasms - Answer-B. Dilates coronary blood vessels
C and D- calcium channel blockers INHIBIT coronary vasospasms
Which of the following is NOT an expected sign seen in a pt with facial nerve (CN VII)
palsy?
A. Hyperacusis
B. Absence of sensation in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
C. Absence of corneal reflex
D. Decrease lacrimation - Answer-B. Absence of sensation in the anterior 2/3 of the
tongue
Rationale: Sensation in anterior 2/3 of the tongue is by the trigeminal nerve and not the
facial nerve. Facial nerve is for TASTE on anterior 2/3 of the tongue.
A- defined as the collapsed tolerance to normal environmental sounds. Facial nerve
controls the excessive movements of the stapedius bone and dampens the sound and
its injury can cause hyperacusis.
A 60 y/o male pt c/o a shock-like and stabbing sensation running through his jaw line
which has become frequent and excruciating lately. He says that the episodes occur
usually when he goes out in cold weather or when shaving or brushing his teeth. The
therapist suspect a possible cranial nerve inflammation. What is the suspected condition
and the cranial nerve affected?
A. Bell's palsy; CN 7
B. Trigeminal Neuralgia; CN 7
C. Bell's palsy; CN 5
D. Trigeminal neuralgia; CN 5 - Answer-D. Trigeminal neuralgia; CN 5
A patient who is 3 months post right ankle fracture has an AROM of 0-30 degrees of DF
and 0-10 degrees of PF. To restore motion required for normal walking, which of the
following joint mobilization techniques should the PT perform?
A. Anterior glide of the talus
B. Lateral glide of the calcaneus
C. Medial glide of the calcaneus
D. Posterior glide of the talus - Answer-A. Anterior glide of the talus
PF is limited so you are restoring that. Always stick to your plane for glides. You can
rule out B and C because they are not in the correct plane for PF. With PF you are
moving down and posteriorly. The ankle is convex on concave so you know that roll and
glide are opposite. So since the roll is posterior you know the slide is anterior.
, A PT is testing the active shoulder ROM of a 45-year-old female patient. The PT asks
the patient to move the shoulder to full medial/internal rotation. During medial rotation at
the shoulder joint (GH joint), the humerus will slide:
A. Anteriorly
B. Superiorly
C. Inferiorly
D. Posteriorly - Answer-D. Posteriorly
For medial rotation you will roll anteriorly. This is a convex on concave movement so
slide is opposite and in the posterior direction.
A patient demonstrated painful ROM in horizontal abduction movement during ROM
examination of shoulder. Which of the following joint mobilization techniques is MOST
appropriate for the patient?
A. Large amplitude oscillations performed at the beginning of the ROM in an anterior-
inferior direction
B. Small amplitude oscillations into tissue resistance up to the limit of available motion
in a posterior-superior direction
C. Large amplitude oscillations within the available ROM in an anterior-inferior direction
D. Small amplitude oscillations into tissue resistance at the limit of available joint motion
in a posterior-inferior direction - Answer-C. Large amplitude oscillations within the
available ROM in an anterior-inferior direction
With horizontal abduction you are rolling posteriorly so you must glide anteriorly so that
rules out B and D. Now you must consider the different grades of mobilizations. You
know that you will use either grade I or II because the pt has pain. Grade I is small
amplitude so you know it must be grade II. C describes a grade II mobilization.
A 39 year old comes to an outpatient clinic complaining of neck problems. Which of the
following exercise combinations is MOST appropriate for a patient who has a forward
head posture?
A. Strengthen the deep cervical flexors and stretch the SCM's and upper cervical
extensors
B. Strengthen the deep cervical flexors and SCM's and stretch the upper cervical
extensors
C. Strengthen the cervical extensors and stretch the SCM's and deep cervical flexors
D. Strengthen the cervical extensors and SCM's and stretch the deep cervical flexors -
Answer-A. Strengthen the deep cervical flexors and stretch the SCM's and upper
cervical extensors
When your head is forward C3-C7 will flex and C1-C2 will be extended. Think of the
upper cross syndrome for a forward head. The deep cervical flexors and lower
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
You are testing a patient's deep tendon reflexes during an evaluation for low back pain
in outpatient physical therapy. Which of the following is MOST likely to be consistent
with a false negative patellar reflex?
A. 2+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
B. 1+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed S1 nerve root syndrome
C. 3+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
D. 2+ reflex and the patient does not have L4 nerve root syndrome - Answer-A. 2+
reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
2+ reflexes are considered normal according to the reflex grading system. A false
negative indicates that the test is normal but the patient has pathology. The correct
answer states that the reflexes are normal but the patient has a pathology that affects
the L4 nerve root.
A PT examines a pt complaining of tingling into the 4th and 5th digits with muscle
wasting over the hypothenar eminence. The PT suspects ulnar neuropathy and decides
to examine the integrity of the nerve. Which of the following testing procedures would be
the best?
A. Have the pt flex both wrists while holding them for one minute
B. Have the pt make a fist around the thumb and perform ulnar deviation
C. Have the pt grasp a piece of paper between their first and second fingers while the
examiner pulls the paper and monitors the first finger
D. Have the pt perform extension of the 3rd digit of the hand against examiner
resistance - Answer-C. Have the pt grasp a piece of paper between their first and
second fingers while the examiner pulls the paper and monitors the first finger
This is a test for the Froment's sign which checks the ulnar nerve. If the pt flexes their
thumb when resisting the pull they may have a problem with the ulnar nerve.
A 48-year-old male patient reports of SOB and swelling in LE's. During the baseline
examination, the PT examines patient's heart sounds before starting an exercise
program. Which valve is being auscultated at #5 in the picture?
A. Tricuspid valve
B. Pulmonary valve
C. Mitral valve
D. Aortic valve - Answer-C. Mitral valve
"All Physical Therapists Make $2245 per week"
,Aortic- 2nd intercostal on R
Pulmonary- 2nd intercostal on L
Tricuspid- 4th intercostal on L
Mitral- 5th intercostal on L
A low back pain patient's Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score was 18 points. Four
weeks later, the score was 50 points. Which of the following is the BEST option for the
physical therapist?
A. Continue PT until the pt returns to a score of 60
B. Discharge the pt as there is an improvement
C. Document the improvement and start HEP
D. Ask the pt to have a physician consult - Answer-D. Ask the pt to have a physician
consult
The higher the score, the more disability they have. So this patient has worsened over
the last 4 weeks.
A 44 y/o female pt arrived to a clinic after sustaining a fall involving a hand/wrist injury.
Upon examination, the PT observed the radius dislocated in a volar direction. Which of
the following conditions would MOST likely match this description?
A. Smith's Fx
B. Colle's Fx
C. Scaphoid Fx
D. Dinner fork deformity - Answer-A. Smith's Fx
Colle's Fx- the radius goes in the DORSAL direction
Dinner fork deformity- this is another name for Colle's Fx
A PT is evaluating a 34 y/o female pt with a vague diagnosis of LBP. The pt displays a
positive Thomas test. Which sub phase of the gait cycle will MOST likely show limitation
in the hip ROM?
A. Loading response
B. Initial contact
C. Midstance
D. Terminal stance - Answer-D. Terminal stance
The hip flexors will try to stop the hip from going into extension
A pt arrived at an outpatient clinic with chief c/o LBP. Upon further evaluation, the pt
mentioned taking calcium channel blockers. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY
accurate regarding the medication effect on the cardiovascular system?
,A. Constrict coronary blood vessels
B. Dilates coronary blood vessels
C. Activates coronary vasospasms
D. No effect towards coronary vasospasms - Answer-B. Dilates coronary blood vessels
C and D- calcium channel blockers INHIBIT coronary vasospasms
Which of the following is NOT an expected sign seen in a pt with facial nerve (CN VII)
palsy?
A. Hyperacusis
B. Absence of sensation in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
C. Absence of corneal reflex
D. Decrease lacrimation - Answer-B. Absence of sensation in the anterior 2/3 of the
tongue
Rationale: Sensation in anterior 2/3 of the tongue is by the trigeminal nerve and not the
facial nerve. Facial nerve is for TASTE on anterior 2/3 of the tongue.
A- defined as the collapsed tolerance to normal environmental sounds. Facial nerve
controls the excessive movements of the stapedius bone and dampens the sound and
its injury can cause hyperacusis.
A 60 y/o male pt c/o a shock-like and stabbing sensation running through his jaw line
which has become frequent and excruciating lately. He says that the episodes occur
usually when he goes out in cold weather or when shaving or brushing his teeth. The
therapist suspect a possible cranial nerve inflammation. What is the suspected condition
and the cranial nerve affected?
A. Bell's palsy; CN 7
B. Trigeminal Neuralgia; CN 7
C. Bell's palsy; CN 5
D. Trigeminal neuralgia; CN 5 - Answer-D. Trigeminal neuralgia; CN 5
A patient who is 3 months post right ankle fracture has an AROM of 0-30 degrees of DF
and 0-10 degrees of PF. To restore motion required for normal walking, which of the
following joint mobilization techniques should the PT perform?
A. Anterior glide of the talus
B. Lateral glide of the calcaneus
C. Medial glide of the calcaneus
D. Posterior glide of the talus - Answer-A. Anterior glide of the talus
PF is limited so you are restoring that. Always stick to your plane for glides. You can
rule out B and C because they are not in the correct plane for PF. With PF you are
moving down and posteriorly. The ankle is convex on concave so you know that roll and
glide are opposite. So since the roll is posterior you know the slide is anterior.
, A PT is testing the active shoulder ROM of a 45-year-old female patient. The PT asks
the patient to move the shoulder to full medial/internal rotation. During medial rotation at
the shoulder joint (GH joint), the humerus will slide:
A. Anteriorly
B. Superiorly
C. Inferiorly
D. Posteriorly - Answer-D. Posteriorly
For medial rotation you will roll anteriorly. This is a convex on concave movement so
slide is opposite and in the posterior direction.
A patient demonstrated painful ROM in horizontal abduction movement during ROM
examination of shoulder. Which of the following joint mobilization techniques is MOST
appropriate for the patient?
A. Large amplitude oscillations performed at the beginning of the ROM in an anterior-
inferior direction
B. Small amplitude oscillations into tissue resistance up to the limit of available motion
in a posterior-superior direction
C. Large amplitude oscillations within the available ROM in an anterior-inferior direction
D. Small amplitude oscillations into tissue resistance at the limit of available joint motion
in a posterior-inferior direction - Answer-C. Large amplitude oscillations within the
available ROM in an anterior-inferior direction
With horizontal abduction you are rolling posteriorly so you must glide anteriorly so that
rules out B and D. Now you must consider the different grades of mobilizations. You
know that you will use either grade I or II because the pt has pain. Grade I is small
amplitude so you know it must be grade II. C describes a grade II mobilization.
A 39 year old comes to an outpatient clinic complaining of neck problems. Which of the
following exercise combinations is MOST appropriate for a patient who has a forward
head posture?
A. Strengthen the deep cervical flexors and stretch the SCM's and upper cervical
extensors
B. Strengthen the deep cervical flexors and SCM's and stretch the upper cervical
extensors
C. Strengthen the cervical extensors and stretch the SCM's and deep cervical flexors
D. Strengthen the cervical extensors and SCM's and stretch the deep cervical flexors -
Answer-A. Strengthen the deep cervical flexors and stretch the SCM's and upper
cervical extensors
When your head is forward C3-C7 will flex and C1-C2 will be extended. Think of the
upper cross syndrome for a forward head. The deep cervical flexors and lower
