Question 1
A physical therapist is prescribing an exercise program for a patient with type 1 diabetes. To avoid
complications, the patient should be advised to begin an exercise session only if their blood glucose
level is:
A) Below 60 mg/dL.
B) Above 250 mg/dL.
C) Between 60 and 100 mg/dL.
D) Between 100 and 250 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: D) Between 100 and 250 mg/dL.
Rationale: This is the generally accepted safe range for initiating exercise. Exercising with
blood glucose below 100 mg/dL increases the risk of exercise-induced hypoglycemia.
Exercising with blood glucose above 250-300 mg/dL, especially if ketones are present, can
lead to a paradoxical increase in blood glucose and ketoacidosis.
Question 2
When planning a physical therapy program for geriatric patients, which important age-related change
should be taken into consideration?
A) An inability to learn new motor tasks.
B) Decreased pain and vibratory sensation.
C) A universal decrease in motivation to participate in therapy.
D) An inability to select alternative movement strategies when faced with a challenge.
Correct Answer: B) Decreased pain and vibratory sensation.
Rationale: Normal aging involves a number of neurological changes, including a decline in the
sensitivity of peripheral receptors. This can lead to diminished sensation for pain,
temperature, vibration, and proprioception, which has important implications for patient
safety and the selection of interventions.
Question 3
A physical therapist is examining a patient with dark skin pigmentation and notices a deepening of
the skin color over the left calcaneus. Which finding would indicate a Stage I pressure ulcer at that
site?
A) Decreased skin temperature compared to the surrounding tissue.
B) Increased skin temperature compared to the surrounding tissue.
C) Blanching with applied pressure that returns to the previous color within 30 seconds.
D) Blanching with applied pressure that returns to the previous color one hour after pressure
removal.
Correct Answer: B) Increased skin temperature, compared to the surrounding tissue. (Rationale
based on standard clinical guidelines over the user's provided fact.)
Rationale: A Stage I pressure ulcer is an area of non-blanchable erythema. In individuals with
dark skin, this redness may not be visible. Other key indicators are changes in tissue
,consistency (firm or boggy) and changes in skin temperature. The initial inflammatory
response associated with a Stage I injury typically causes the area to be warmer than the
surrounding tissue.
Question 4
A physical therapist is studying the effects of three different treatments for ataxia. Patients were
randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups. Functional measurements were taken at 6
months. Which statistical test is MOST appropriate for analyzing the data?
A) Factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA)
B) One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
C) Independent sample t-test
D) Repeated-measures t-test
Correct Answer: B) One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
Rationale: This study design has one independent variable (the treatment type) with three
levels or groups. The goal is to compare the means of these three independent groups. A
one-way ANOVA is the correct statistical test for comparing the means of three or more
independent groups.
Question 5
A physical therapist is evaluating a child whose right eye deviates medially at rest. This indicates a
weakness of the lateral rectus muscle, which is caused by an impairment of which cranial nerve?
A) Oculomotor (III)
B) Trochlear (IV)
C) Abducens (VI)
D) Vagus (X)
Correct Answer: C) Abducens (VI)
Rationale: The abducens nerve (CN VI) is solely responsible for innervating the lateral rectus
muscle, which abducts the eye (moves it laterally). If this nerve is damaged, the lateral rectus
is weak, and the unopposed pull of the medial rectus muscle (innervated by CN III) causes the
eye to deviate medially.
Question 6
A physical therapist is preparing to teach a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome to transfer. The
patient has Poor (2/5) strength in both lower extremities, Fair (4/5) strength in the left upper
extremity, and Normal (5/5) strength in the right upper extremity. Which transfer is MOST
appropriate?
A) Two-person lift to the right side
B) Sliding-board transfer to the right side
C) Hydraulic lift transfer
D) Full standing-pivot transfer to the right side
, Correct Answer: B) Sliding-board transfer to the right side
Rationale: The patient has insufficient lower extremity strength for a standing pivot transfer.
However, they have adequate upper extremity strength to assist with the transfer, making a
totally dependent lift (hydraulic or two-person) inappropriate. A sliding board transfer allows
the patient to use their upper body strength to move from one surface to another.
Transferring to the stronger (right) side is the standard and safest technique.
Question 7
To document that a patient with a spinal cord injury has been successfully educated about skin care,
which statement should the therapist record in the medical record?
A) The patient is unable to tolerate more than 1 hour in a wheelchair.
B) The patient has Good (4/5) strength of the scapular depressors and elbow extensors.
C) The patient is able to state three causes of skin breakdown.
D) The patient is able to perform 10 wheelchair push-ups.
Correct Answer: C) The patient is able to state three causes of skin breakdown.
Rationale: Documentation of patient education should reflect the patient's learning and
understanding. Stating that the patient can verbalize key information is a direct and objective
way to document that the education was effective. The other options describe functional
limitations, strength, or performance of a task, but not the outcome of the educational
process itself.
Question 8
Increased residual volume is LEAST likely to be a finding in the pulmonary function testing of a
patient with which of the following conditions?
A) Atelectasis
B) Bronchiectasis
C) Chronic bronchitis
D) Emphysema
Correct Answer: A) Atelectasis
Rationale: Atelectasis is the collapse of lung tissue. This results in a restrictive lung defect,
characterized by a decrease in all lung volumes and capacities, including residual volume,
functional residual capacity, and total lung capacity. The other conditions are all obstructive
lung diseases, which are characterized by air trapping and an increase in residual volume.
Question 9
During pregnancy, which of the following exercises is generally CONTRAINDICATED, especially in
the later trimesters?
A) Curl-ups
B) Bridging
C) Bilateral straight leg raises
D) Deep breathing with forced expiration
A physical therapist is prescribing an exercise program for a patient with type 1 diabetes. To avoid
complications, the patient should be advised to begin an exercise session only if their blood glucose
level is:
A) Below 60 mg/dL.
B) Above 250 mg/dL.
C) Between 60 and 100 mg/dL.
D) Between 100 and 250 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: D) Between 100 and 250 mg/dL.
Rationale: This is the generally accepted safe range for initiating exercise. Exercising with
blood glucose below 100 mg/dL increases the risk of exercise-induced hypoglycemia.
Exercising with blood glucose above 250-300 mg/dL, especially if ketones are present, can
lead to a paradoxical increase in blood glucose and ketoacidosis.
Question 2
When planning a physical therapy program for geriatric patients, which important age-related change
should be taken into consideration?
A) An inability to learn new motor tasks.
B) Decreased pain and vibratory sensation.
C) A universal decrease in motivation to participate in therapy.
D) An inability to select alternative movement strategies when faced with a challenge.
Correct Answer: B) Decreased pain and vibratory sensation.
Rationale: Normal aging involves a number of neurological changes, including a decline in the
sensitivity of peripheral receptors. This can lead to diminished sensation for pain,
temperature, vibration, and proprioception, which has important implications for patient
safety and the selection of interventions.
Question 3
A physical therapist is examining a patient with dark skin pigmentation and notices a deepening of
the skin color over the left calcaneus. Which finding would indicate a Stage I pressure ulcer at that
site?
A) Decreased skin temperature compared to the surrounding tissue.
B) Increased skin temperature compared to the surrounding tissue.
C) Blanching with applied pressure that returns to the previous color within 30 seconds.
D) Blanching with applied pressure that returns to the previous color one hour after pressure
removal.
Correct Answer: B) Increased skin temperature, compared to the surrounding tissue. (Rationale
based on standard clinical guidelines over the user's provided fact.)
Rationale: A Stage I pressure ulcer is an area of non-blanchable erythema. In individuals with
dark skin, this redness may not be visible. Other key indicators are changes in tissue
,consistency (firm or boggy) and changes in skin temperature. The initial inflammatory
response associated with a Stage I injury typically causes the area to be warmer than the
surrounding tissue.
Question 4
A physical therapist is studying the effects of three different treatments for ataxia. Patients were
randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups. Functional measurements were taken at 6
months. Which statistical test is MOST appropriate for analyzing the data?
A) Factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA)
B) One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
C) Independent sample t-test
D) Repeated-measures t-test
Correct Answer: B) One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
Rationale: This study design has one independent variable (the treatment type) with three
levels or groups. The goal is to compare the means of these three independent groups. A
one-way ANOVA is the correct statistical test for comparing the means of three or more
independent groups.
Question 5
A physical therapist is evaluating a child whose right eye deviates medially at rest. This indicates a
weakness of the lateral rectus muscle, which is caused by an impairment of which cranial nerve?
A) Oculomotor (III)
B) Trochlear (IV)
C) Abducens (VI)
D) Vagus (X)
Correct Answer: C) Abducens (VI)
Rationale: The abducens nerve (CN VI) is solely responsible for innervating the lateral rectus
muscle, which abducts the eye (moves it laterally). If this nerve is damaged, the lateral rectus
is weak, and the unopposed pull of the medial rectus muscle (innervated by CN III) causes the
eye to deviate medially.
Question 6
A physical therapist is preparing to teach a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome to transfer. The
patient has Poor (2/5) strength in both lower extremities, Fair (4/5) strength in the left upper
extremity, and Normal (5/5) strength in the right upper extremity. Which transfer is MOST
appropriate?
A) Two-person lift to the right side
B) Sliding-board transfer to the right side
C) Hydraulic lift transfer
D) Full standing-pivot transfer to the right side
, Correct Answer: B) Sliding-board transfer to the right side
Rationale: The patient has insufficient lower extremity strength for a standing pivot transfer.
However, they have adequate upper extremity strength to assist with the transfer, making a
totally dependent lift (hydraulic or two-person) inappropriate. A sliding board transfer allows
the patient to use their upper body strength to move from one surface to another.
Transferring to the stronger (right) side is the standard and safest technique.
Question 7
To document that a patient with a spinal cord injury has been successfully educated about skin care,
which statement should the therapist record in the medical record?
A) The patient is unable to tolerate more than 1 hour in a wheelchair.
B) The patient has Good (4/5) strength of the scapular depressors and elbow extensors.
C) The patient is able to state three causes of skin breakdown.
D) The patient is able to perform 10 wheelchair push-ups.
Correct Answer: C) The patient is able to state three causes of skin breakdown.
Rationale: Documentation of patient education should reflect the patient's learning and
understanding. Stating that the patient can verbalize key information is a direct and objective
way to document that the education was effective. The other options describe functional
limitations, strength, or performance of a task, but not the outcome of the educational
process itself.
Question 8
Increased residual volume is LEAST likely to be a finding in the pulmonary function testing of a
patient with which of the following conditions?
A) Atelectasis
B) Bronchiectasis
C) Chronic bronchitis
D) Emphysema
Correct Answer: A) Atelectasis
Rationale: Atelectasis is the collapse of lung tissue. This results in a restrictive lung defect,
characterized by a decrease in all lung volumes and capacities, including residual volume,
functional residual capacity, and total lung capacity. The other conditions are all obstructive
lung diseases, which are characterized by air trapping and an increase in residual volume.
Question 9
During pregnancy, which of the following exercises is generally CONTRAINDICATED, especially in
the later trimesters?
A) Curl-ups
B) Bridging
C) Bilateral straight leg raises
D) Deep breathing with forced expiration
