FSBPT Practice Test Section 3 - Questions With
Insightful Solutions
A patient has burns on the anterior aspect of the upper arm and axilla. To
prevent contracture and loss of range of motion, the arm should be placed in a
position of rest with the shoulder at:
1. full flexion.
2. the anatomic position.
3. full internal rotation.
4. 90° of abduction. Right Ans - 1. Anterior shoulder involvement would not
be stressed for healing with full flexion. For this burn, an abduction "airplane"
splint is recommended.
2. Anatomic position places the arm in adduction at the side. Adduction is a
common deformity with axillary burns.
3. Medial (internal) rotation is a common deformity following axillary and
anterior shoulder burns.
Correct:
4. For a shoulder axillary burn, an "airplane" splint that places shoulder in
abduction is recommended.
A physical therapist assistant is performing pulmonary hygiene on a patient
with cystic fibrosis using the vibration technique. This technique should be
performed:
1. during expiration.
2. with a lumbrical grip.
3. during inspiration.
4. with cupped hands. Right Ans - Correct:
1. The vibration is meant to break up mucus while the patient is exhaling (p.
544).
2. Vibration is performed by placing one hand over the other. The clinician
then executes a vibratory action using the hands and arms during the patient's
exhalation. (pp. 543-544)
3. The clinician executes a vibratory action using the hands and arms during
the patient's exhalation (p. 544).
4. Cupped hands are the proper hand position for percussion, but the proper
hand position for vibration is hand over hand (pp. 543-544).
,An electrical stimulator has an adapter applied to the plug so that it can be
utilized in the two prong sockets in the clinic. Which of the following
responses is MOST appropriate?
1. Substitute a surge strip for the adapter.
2. Discontinue use of the stimulator.
3. Continue use of the stimulator.
4. Monitor the stimulator for heat. Right Ans - 1. Surge strip or extension
cords would not fix the overall problem in the clinic. A three-prong plug with a
safety ground component should be utilized as it ensures that an electrical
current from a device does not pass through the patient nor the clinician.
Correct:
2. Discontinuing use of stimulator is the safest course of action. A three-prong
plug with a safety ground component should be utilized as it ensures that an
electrical current from a device does not pass through the patient nor the
clinician.
3. Continuing use of equipment would not address the risk of injury. A three-
prong plug with a safety ground component should be utilized as it ensures
that an electrical current from a device does not pass through the patient nor
the clinician.
4. The stimulator should not heat up significantly when being used. A three-
prong plug with a safety ground component should be utilized as it ensures
that an electrical current from a device does not pass through the patient nor
the clinician.
The condition shown in the photograph could be the result of damage to
which of the following nerves?
1. Axillary
2. Dorsal scapular
3. Long thoracic
4. Spinal accessory Right Ans - 1. Muscles innervated by the axillary nerve
are not involved in scapular winging, the condition shown in the photograph
(pp. 77-78).
2. The dorsal scapular nerve innervates the rhomboids. These muscles are not
involved in scapular winging, the condition shown in the photograph. (pp. 73,
580-581, 645)
, Correct:
3. Scapular winging, which is shown in the photograph, would be caused by
weakness of the serratus anterior, which is innervated by the long thoracic
nerve (pp. 79, 580-581, 645).
4. The spinal accessory nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoids and the
trapezius muscles. These muscles are not involved in scapular winging, the
condition shown in the photograph. (p. 76)
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate task to be delegated to a
physical therapy aide?
1. Verbally cue the patient for better quadriceps contraction during straight
leg raise.
2. Assist the patient in keeping track of the number of biceps curls.
3. Apply electrical stimulation electrodes to trigger points in the upper
trapezius.
4. Direct whirlpool jets to desired location for wound cleansing. Right Ans -
1. This option requires clinical judgment and should be performed by the
physical therapist assistant.
Correct:
2. This option does not require problem-solving or the skill of the physical
therapist or physical therapist assistant and may be performed by a physical
therapy aide.
3. This option requires clinical judgment and should be performed by the
physical therapist assistant.
4. This option requires clinical judgment and should be performed by the
physical therapist assistant.
Which of the following is the BEST description of macerated skin?
1. Dry
2. Dark
3. Pink
4. Wrinkled Right Ans - 1. Macerated skin has been exposed to excessive
moisture and will be wrinkled, pale, and easily damaged, not dry.
2. Macerated skin has been exposed to excessive moisture and will be
wrinkled, pale, and easily damaged, not dark.
Insightful Solutions
A patient has burns on the anterior aspect of the upper arm and axilla. To
prevent contracture and loss of range of motion, the arm should be placed in a
position of rest with the shoulder at:
1. full flexion.
2. the anatomic position.
3. full internal rotation.
4. 90° of abduction. Right Ans - 1. Anterior shoulder involvement would not
be stressed for healing with full flexion. For this burn, an abduction "airplane"
splint is recommended.
2. Anatomic position places the arm in adduction at the side. Adduction is a
common deformity with axillary burns.
3. Medial (internal) rotation is a common deformity following axillary and
anterior shoulder burns.
Correct:
4. For a shoulder axillary burn, an "airplane" splint that places shoulder in
abduction is recommended.
A physical therapist assistant is performing pulmonary hygiene on a patient
with cystic fibrosis using the vibration technique. This technique should be
performed:
1. during expiration.
2. with a lumbrical grip.
3. during inspiration.
4. with cupped hands. Right Ans - Correct:
1. The vibration is meant to break up mucus while the patient is exhaling (p.
544).
2. Vibration is performed by placing one hand over the other. The clinician
then executes a vibratory action using the hands and arms during the patient's
exhalation. (pp. 543-544)
3. The clinician executes a vibratory action using the hands and arms during
the patient's exhalation (p. 544).
4. Cupped hands are the proper hand position for percussion, but the proper
hand position for vibration is hand over hand (pp. 543-544).
,An electrical stimulator has an adapter applied to the plug so that it can be
utilized in the two prong sockets in the clinic. Which of the following
responses is MOST appropriate?
1. Substitute a surge strip for the adapter.
2. Discontinue use of the stimulator.
3. Continue use of the stimulator.
4. Monitor the stimulator for heat. Right Ans - 1. Surge strip or extension
cords would not fix the overall problem in the clinic. A three-prong plug with a
safety ground component should be utilized as it ensures that an electrical
current from a device does not pass through the patient nor the clinician.
Correct:
2. Discontinuing use of stimulator is the safest course of action. A three-prong
plug with a safety ground component should be utilized as it ensures that an
electrical current from a device does not pass through the patient nor the
clinician.
3. Continuing use of equipment would not address the risk of injury. A three-
prong plug with a safety ground component should be utilized as it ensures
that an electrical current from a device does not pass through the patient nor
the clinician.
4. The stimulator should not heat up significantly when being used. A three-
prong plug with a safety ground component should be utilized as it ensures
that an electrical current from a device does not pass through the patient nor
the clinician.
The condition shown in the photograph could be the result of damage to
which of the following nerves?
1. Axillary
2. Dorsal scapular
3. Long thoracic
4. Spinal accessory Right Ans - 1. Muscles innervated by the axillary nerve
are not involved in scapular winging, the condition shown in the photograph
(pp. 77-78).
2. The dorsal scapular nerve innervates the rhomboids. These muscles are not
involved in scapular winging, the condition shown in the photograph. (pp. 73,
580-581, 645)
, Correct:
3. Scapular winging, which is shown in the photograph, would be caused by
weakness of the serratus anterior, which is innervated by the long thoracic
nerve (pp. 79, 580-581, 645).
4. The spinal accessory nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoids and the
trapezius muscles. These muscles are not involved in scapular winging, the
condition shown in the photograph. (p. 76)
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate task to be delegated to a
physical therapy aide?
1. Verbally cue the patient for better quadriceps contraction during straight
leg raise.
2. Assist the patient in keeping track of the number of biceps curls.
3. Apply electrical stimulation electrodes to trigger points in the upper
trapezius.
4. Direct whirlpool jets to desired location for wound cleansing. Right Ans -
1. This option requires clinical judgment and should be performed by the
physical therapist assistant.
Correct:
2. This option does not require problem-solving or the skill of the physical
therapist or physical therapist assistant and may be performed by a physical
therapy aide.
3. This option requires clinical judgment and should be performed by the
physical therapist assistant.
4. This option requires clinical judgment and should be performed by the
physical therapist assistant.
Which of the following is the BEST description of macerated skin?
1. Dry
2. Dark
3. Pink
4. Wrinkled Right Ans - 1. Macerated skin has been exposed to excessive
moisture and will be wrinkled, pale, and easily damaged, not dry.
2. Macerated skin has been exposed to excessive moisture and will be
wrinkled, pale, and easily damaged, not dark.
