PT BOARDS EXAM PREP TEST BANK 2
ACTUAL PHYSIOTHERAPY NBCE EXAMINATION |
500 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES | GRADED A+
SECTION 1: THERMAL AGENTS (Questions 1-50)
1. Which of the following is the correct order of reaction to cryotherapy?
1) Loss of light touch and cold, motor power, pain and gross pressure
2) Loss of pain, cold, motor power, light touch
3) Loss of motor power, pain, cold, light touch
4) Loss of cold, pain, motor power, light touch
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Cryotherapy affects nerve conduction in a predictable sequence based on nerve
fiber diameter and myelination. Small, unmyelinated fibers (pain and temperature) are
affected first, followed by larger myelinated fibers (touch and pressure). The correct
sequence is: light touch and cold sensation are lost first, followed by motor function, then
pain sensation, and finally gross pressure. This progression occurs because smaller
diameter fibers are more susceptible to cooling-induced conduction block.
2. Which of the following would be a detrimental effect of local heating?
1) Non-inflammatory edema formation
2) Increased blood flow
3) Increased metabolism
4) Muscle relaxation
Correct Answer: 1
[1]
,Rationale: Non-inflammatory edema formation is a detrimental effect of local heating
because it can increase tissue pressure, impair lymphatic drainage, and exacerbate existing
swelling. Increased blood flow, increased metabolism, and muscle relaxation are
therapeutic effects of heat application. Local heating causes vasodilation and increased
capillary permeability, which in pathological states can lead to fluid accumulation in
interstitial spaces.
3. A 6-year-old male presents 2 months after a surgical repair of a hip fracture with a nail.
Which modality is contraindicated in treatment of the pain, muscle spasm, and decreased
ROM?
1) Shortwave diathermy
2) Hydrocollator pack
3) Infrared
4) Pulsed ultrasound
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Shortwave diathermy is contraindicated in the presence of metallic implants
because it can induce eddy currents in the metal, causing excessive heating of the implant
and surrounding tissues. This can lead to thermal injury, implant loosening, or tissue
damage. The child has a surgical nail in the hip, making shortwave diathermy unsafe.
Hydrocollator packs, infrared, and pulsed ultrasound do not interact with metallic implants
in the same hazardous manner.
4. What is an effect of high frequency therapy?
1) Analgesic
2) Hypo-myotonia
3) Edema reduction
4) Postural change
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: High frequency therapy (e.g., shortwave diathermy) produces an analgesic effect
through deep tissue heating, which increases blood flow, reduces muscle spasm, and
promotes tissue relaxation. The analgesic effect is mediated by the gate control theory and
[2]
,increased endorphin release. Hypo-myotonia (decreased muscle tone) is not a direct effect;
rather, it may occur secondary to pain relief and muscle relaxation.
5. In which range of scoliosis does one generally employ a Milwaukee brace?
1) 20 - 40 degrees
2) 10 - 20 degrees
3) 40 - 60 degrees
4) 60 - 80 degrees
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: The Milwaukee brace is typically indicated for scoliotic curves between 20 and
40 degrees in growing children. It is a cervico-thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (CTLSO)
designed to prevent curve progression rather than correct existing deformity. Curves less
than 20 degrees are usually observed, while curves greater than 40-50 degrees often
require surgical intervention. The brace applies three-point pressure to correct the curve
and control progression during skeletal growth.
6. How long after an injury does adhesion formation begin?
1) 24 hours
2) 5 days
3) 2 weeks
4) 1 month
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Adhesion formation begins within 24 hours after injury as part of the
inflammatory response. Fibrinogen leaks from damaged capillaries and converts to fibrin,
which forms a meshwork that serves as a scaffold for fibroblast migration. Collagen
deposition and cross-linking occur over subsequent days to weeks, maturing into
permanent adhesions. Early mobilization and motion are crucial to prevent excessive
adhesion formation during this critical period.
7. Milwaukee, Boston, and TLSO braces are primarily used for which condition?
[3]
, 1) Scoliosis
2) Kyphosis
3) Lordosis
4) Spondylolisthesis
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Milwaukee, Boston, and TLSO braces are all orthotic devices designed primarily
for the management of scoliosis. The Milwaukee brace is a CTLSO used for high thoracic
curves, while the Boston and TLSO (Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis) are used for lower
thoracic and lumbar curves. These braces apply corrective forces to prevent progression of
the spinal curvature during growth.
8. The most important reason to use a brace in scoliosis is to?
1) Inhibit greater progression of the curve
2) Correct the curve
3) Prevent pain
4) Improve posture
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: The primary purpose of bracing in scoliosis is to inhibit or slow the progression
of the curve during skeletal growth. Bracing does not typically correct the curve but aims to
prevent it from worsening. Pain prevention and posture improvement are secondary
benefits. The bracing is most effective when used during the adolescent growth spurt when
progression risk is highest.
9. When treating a patient with low back strain, the modality chosen should be given
careful consideration when the patient ...?
1) Is pregnant
2) Has diabetes
3) Has hypertension
4) Has osteoporosis
Correct Answer: 1
[4]
ACTUAL PHYSIOTHERAPY NBCE EXAMINATION |
500 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES | GRADED A+
SECTION 1: THERMAL AGENTS (Questions 1-50)
1. Which of the following is the correct order of reaction to cryotherapy?
1) Loss of light touch and cold, motor power, pain and gross pressure
2) Loss of pain, cold, motor power, light touch
3) Loss of motor power, pain, cold, light touch
4) Loss of cold, pain, motor power, light touch
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Cryotherapy affects nerve conduction in a predictable sequence based on nerve
fiber diameter and myelination. Small, unmyelinated fibers (pain and temperature) are
affected first, followed by larger myelinated fibers (touch and pressure). The correct
sequence is: light touch and cold sensation are lost first, followed by motor function, then
pain sensation, and finally gross pressure. This progression occurs because smaller
diameter fibers are more susceptible to cooling-induced conduction block.
2. Which of the following would be a detrimental effect of local heating?
1) Non-inflammatory edema formation
2) Increased blood flow
3) Increased metabolism
4) Muscle relaxation
Correct Answer: 1
[1]
,Rationale: Non-inflammatory edema formation is a detrimental effect of local heating
because it can increase tissue pressure, impair lymphatic drainage, and exacerbate existing
swelling. Increased blood flow, increased metabolism, and muscle relaxation are
therapeutic effects of heat application. Local heating causes vasodilation and increased
capillary permeability, which in pathological states can lead to fluid accumulation in
interstitial spaces.
3. A 6-year-old male presents 2 months after a surgical repair of a hip fracture with a nail.
Which modality is contraindicated in treatment of the pain, muscle spasm, and decreased
ROM?
1) Shortwave diathermy
2) Hydrocollator pack
3) Infrared
4) Pulsed ultrasound
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Shortwave diathermy is contraindicated in the presence of metallic implants
because it can induce eddy currents in the metal, causing excessive heating of the implant
and surrounding tissues. This can lead to thermal injury, implant loosening, or tissue
damage. The child has a surgical nail in the hip, making shortwave diathermy unsafe.
Hydrocollator packs, infrared, and pulsed ultrasound do not interact with metallic implants
in the same hazardous manner.
4. What is an effect of high frequency therapy?
1) Analgesic
2) Hypo-myotonia
3) Edema reduction
4) Postural change
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: High frequency therapy (e.g., shortwave diathermy) produces an analgesic effect
through deep tissue heating, which increases blood flow, reduces muscle spasm, and
promotes tissue relaxation. The analgesic effect is mediated by the gate control theory and
[2]
,increased endorphin release. Hypo-myotonia (decreased muscle tone) is not a direct effect;
rather, it may occur secondary to pain relief and muscle relaxation.
5. In which range of scoliosis does one generally employ a Milwaukee brace?
1) 20 - 40 degrees
2) 10 - 20 degrees
3) 40 - 60 degrees
4) 60 - 80 degrees
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: The Milwaukee brace is typically indicated for scoliotic curves between 20 and
40 degrees in growing children. It is a cervico-thoraco-lumbo-sacral orthosis (CTLSO)
designed to prevent curve progression rather than correct existing deformity. Curves less
than 20 degrees are usually observed, while curves greater than 40-50 degrees often
require surgical intervention. The brace applies three-point pressure to correct the curve
and control progression during skeletal growth.
6. How long after an injury does adhesion formation begin?
1) 24 hours
2) 5 days
3) 2 weeks
4) 1 month
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Adhesion formation begins within 24 hours after injury as part of the
inflammatory response. Fibrinogen leaks from damaged capillaries and converts to fibrin,
which forms a meshwork that serves as a scaffold for fibroblast migration. Collagen
deposition and cross-linking occur over subsequent days to weeks, maturing into
permanent adhesions. Early mobilization and motion are crucial to prevent excessive
adhesion formation during this critical period.
7. Milwaukee, Boston, and TLSO braces are primarily used for which condition?
[3]
, 1) Scoliosis
2) Kyphosis
3) Lordosis
4) Spondylolisthesis
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Milwaukee, Boston, and TLSO braces are all orthotic devices designed primarily
for the management of scoliosis. The Milwaukee brace is a CTLSO used for high thoracic
curves, while the Boston and TLSO (Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis) are used for lower
thoracic and lumbar curves. These braces apply corrective forces to prevent progression of
the spinal curvature during growth.
8. The most important reason to use a brace in scoliosis is to?
1) Inhibit greater progression of the curve
2) Correct the curve
3) Prevent pain
4) Improve posture
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: The primary purpose of bracing in scoliosis is to inhibit or slow the progression
of the curve during skeletal growth. Bracing does not typically correct the curve but aims to
prevent it from worsening. Pain prevention and posture improvement are secondary
benefits. The bracing is most effective when used during the adolescent growth spurt when
progression risk is highest.
9. When treating a patient with low back strain, the modality chosen should be given
careful consideration when the patient ...?
1) Is pregnant
2) Has diabetes
3) Has hypertension
4) Has osteoporosis
Correct Answer: 1
[4]
