Physical Therapy Exam Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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Question 1
What is the primary goal of physical therapy?
A. Diagnose all medical conditions
B. Restore and improve movement and function
C. Prescribe medications
D. Perform surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B. Restore and improve movement and function
Rationale: Physical therapy focuses on optimizing movement, reducing pain,
restoring function, and improving quality of life.
Question 2
Which anatomical plane divides the body into left and right portions?
A. Frontal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Sagittal plane
D. Oblique plane
Correct Answer: C. Sagittal plane
Rationale: The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right sections.
,Question 3
Flexion generally decreases the:
A. Muscle length
B. Joint angle
C. Bone density
D. Limb circumference
Correct Answer: B. Joint angle
Rationale: Flexion is a movement that decreases the angle between two body
segments.
Question 4
Which muscle is the primary extensor of the knee?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior
Correct Answer: B. Quadriceps femoris
Rationale: The quadriceps femoris muscle group is responsible for knee
extension.
Question 5
The patella is classified as which type of bone?
A. Long bone
B. Flat bone
C. Short bone
D. Sesamoid bone
Correct Answer: D. Sesamoid bone
,Rationale: The patella is the largest sesamoid bone and develops within the
quadriceps tendon.
Question 6
Which joint is classified as a ball-and-socket joint?
A. Elbow
B. Shoulder
C. Knee
D. Ankle
Correct Answer: B. Shoulder
Rationale: The shoulder allows movement in multiple planes because it is a ball-
and-socket joint.
Question 7
The normal movement of bringing a limb away from the body's midline is called:
A. Flexion
B. Extension
C. Abduction
D. Adduction
Correct Answer: C. Abduction
Rationale: Abduction moves a body part away from the midline.
Question 8
Which muscle is the primary plantar flexor of the ankle?
A. Tibialis anterior
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Quadriceps
D. Gluteus maximus
, Correct Answer: B. Gastrocnemius
Rationale: The gastrocnemius, along with the soleus, produces plantar flexion.
Question 9
Which structure connects muscle to bone?
A. Ligament
B. Tendon
C. Cartilage
D. Bursa
Correct Answer: B. Tendon
Rationale: Tendons transmit force from muscle to bone to create movement.
Question 10
Which structure connects bone to bone?
A. Tendon
B. Ligament
C. Fascia
D. Meniscus
Correct Answer: B. Ligament
Rationale: Ligaments stabilize joints by connecting bones.
Question 11
Range of motion (ROM) is measured using a:
A. Stethoscope
B. Reflex hammer
C. Goniometer
D. Sphygmomanometer
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
Question 1
What is the primary goal of physical therapy?
A. Diagnose all medical conditions
B. Restore and improve movement and function
C. Prescribe medications
D. Perform surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B. Restore and improve movement and function
Rationale: Physical therapy focuses on optimizing movement, reducing pain,
restoring function, and improving quality of life.
Question 2
Which anatomical plane divides the body into left and right portions?
A. Frontal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Sagittal plane
D. Oblique plane
Correct Answer: C. Sagittal plane
Rationale: The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right sections.
,Question 3
Flexion generally decreases the:
A. Muscle length
B. Joint angle
C. Bone density
D. Limb circumference
Correct Answer: B. Joint angle
Rationale: Flexion is a movement that decreases the angle between two body
segments.
Question 4
Which muscle is the primary extensor of the knee?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior
Correct Answer: B. Quadriceps femoris
Rationale: The quadriceps femoris muscle group is responsible for knee
extension.
Question 5
The patella is classified as which type of bone?
A. Long bone
B. Flat bone
C. Short bone
D. Sesamoid bone
Correct Answer: D. Sesamoid bone
,Rationale: The patella is the largest sesamoid bone and develops within the
quadriceps tendon.
Question 6
Which joint is classified as a ball-and-socket joint?
A. Elbow
B. Shoulder
C. Knee
D. Ankle
Correct Answer: B. Shoulder
Rationale: The shoulder allows movement in multiple planes because it is a ball-
and-socket joint.
Question 7
The normal movement of bringing a limb away from the body's midline is called:
A. Flexion
B. Extension
C. Abduction
D. Adduction
Correct Answer: C. Abduction
Rationale: Abduction moves a body part away from the midline.
Question 8
Which muscle is the primary plantar flexor of the ankle?
A. Tibialis anterior
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Quadriceps
D. Gluteus maximus
, Correct Answer: B. Gastrocnemius
Rationale: The gastrocnemius, along with the soleus, produces plantar flexion.
Question 9
Which structure connects muscle to bone?
A. Ligament
B. Tendon
C. Cartilage
D. Bursa
Correct Answer: B. Tendon
Rationale: Tendons transmit force from muscle to bone to create movement.
Question 10
Which structure connects bone to bone?
A. Tendon
B. Ligament
C. Fascia
D. Meniscus
Correct Answer: B. Ligament
Rationale: Ligaments stabilize joints by connecting bones.
Question 11
Range of motion (ROM) is measured using a:
A. Stethoscope
B. Reflex hammer
C. Goniometer
D. Sphygmomanometer
