PHYSICAL THERAPIST LICENCING EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS CORRECT
RATIONALE IN ITALICS.
1. Which of the following muscles is primarily responsible for knee extension?
A. Biceps femoris
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Rectus femoris
D. Sartorius
Correct answer: C — The rectus femoris, part of the quadriceps group, is the main muscle for
knee extension.
2. What is the normal range of motion for shoulder flexion?
A. 0–90°
B. 0–120°
C. 0–160°
D. 0–180°
Correct answer: D — Shoulder flexion normally ranges from 0 to 180 degrees.
3. Which type of joint is the hip joint?
A. Hinge joint
B. Ball-and-socket joint
C. Pivot joint
D. Saddle joint
Correct answer: B — The hip is a ball-and-socket joint allowing multidirectional movement.
4. What cranial nerve controls facial expressions?
A. Trigeminal (V)
B. Facial (VII)
C. Glossopharyngeal (IX)
D. Vagus (X)
Correct answer: B — The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) innervates muscles of facial
expression.
5. A patient presents with foot drop. Which nerve is most likely affected?
A. Tibial nerve
B. Common peroneal nerve
C. Femoral nerve
D. Sural nerve
Correct answer: B — Injury to the common peroneal nerve causes foot drop due to dorsiflexor
weakness.
,6. The primary goal of gait training after stroke is to:
A. Improve cardiovascular endurance
B. Restore symmetrical gait pattern
C. Increase muscle hypertrophy
D. Promote bone density
Correct answer: B — Gait training focuses on restoring balance and symmetrical movement.
7. Which test assesses balance in standing position?
A. Romberg test
B. Lachman test
C. Spurling test
D. McMurray test
Correct answer: A — The Romberg test evaluates static balance and proprioception.
8. What is the function of the Golgi tendon organ?
A. Detects joint pressure
B. Detects muscle length
C. Detects muscle tension
D. Detects vibration
Correct answer: C — Golgi tendon organs sense muscle tension and prevent excessive
contraction.
9. The safest transfer technique for a hemiplegic patient is to transfer toward:
A. The weaker side
B. The stronger side
C. Either side equally
D. Opposite to affected side
Correct answer: B — Transferring toward the stronger side provides stability and safety.
10. Which modality uses sound waves to produce deep tissue heating?
A. TENS
B. Ultrasound
C. Infrared
D. Hot pack
Correct answer: B — Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to heat deep tissues.
11. What is the best position to stretch the hamstrings?
A. Knee flexion
B. Hip flexion with knee extension
C. Hip extension
D. Hip abduction
Correct answer: B — Stretching hamstrings requires hip flexion and knee extension.
, 12. Which of the following is an example of an isometric exercise?
A. Biceps curl
B. Wall sit
C. Squat jump
D. Push-up
Correct answer: B — Isometric exercises involve contraction without movement, like a wall sit.
13. What is the primary function of the cerebellum?
A. Speech production
B. Balance and coordination
C. Heart rate control
D. Sensory processing
Correct answer: B — The cerebellum coordinates movement and balance.
14. The main purpose of a goniometer is to measure:
A. Strength
B. Range of motion
C. Pain threshold
D. Muscle tone
Correct answer: B — A goniometer measures joint angles and range of motion.
15. Which of the following is a contraindication for electrical stimulation?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Cardiac pacemaker
C. Poor posture
D. Joint stiffness
Correct answer: B — E-stim is contraindicated in patients with pacemakers due to electrical
interference.
16. Which muscle is known as the “calf muscle”?
A. Soleus
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Tibialis anterior
D. Peroneus longus
Correct answer: B — The gastrocnemius forms the bulk of the calf and assists in plantarflexion.
17. Which position reduces lumbar disc pressure the most?
A. Standing
B. Sitting slouched
C. Supine with knees bent
D. Forward bending
Correct answer: C — Supine with knees bent decreases lumbar disc pressure.
18. Which gait deviation occurs with weak quadriceps?
A. Vaulting
B. Genu recurvatum
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS CORRECT
RATIONALE IN ITALICS.
1. Which of the following muscles is primarily responsible for knee extension?
A. Biceps femoris
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Rectus femoris
D. Sartorius
Correct answer: C — The rectus femoris, part of the quadriceps group, is the main muscle for
knee extension.
2. What is the normal range of motion for shoulder flexion?
A. 0–90°
B. 0–120°
C. 0–160°
D. 0–180°
Correct answer: D — Shoulder flexion normally ranges from 0 to 180 degrees.
3. Which type of joint is the hip joint?
A. Hinge joint
B. Ball-and-socket joint
C. Pivot joint
D. Saddle joint
Correct answer: B — The hip is a ball-and-socket joint allowing multidirectional movement.
4. What cranial nerve controls facial expressions?
A. Trigeminal (V)
B. Facial (VII)
C. Glossopharyngeal (IX)
D. Vagus (X)
Correct answer: B — The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) innervates muscles of facial
expression.
5. A patient presents with foot drop. Which nerve is most likely affected?
A. Tibial nerve
B. Common peroneal nerve
C. Femoral nerve
D. Sural nerve
Correct answer: B — Injury to the common peroneal nerve causes foot drop due to dorsiflexor
weakness.
,6. The primary goal of gait training after stroke is to:
A. Improve cardiovascular endurance
B. Restore symmetrical gait pattern
C. Increase muscle hypertrophy
D. Promote bone density
Correct answer: B — Gait training focuses on restoring balance and symmetrical movement.
7. Which test assesses balance in standing position?
A. Romberg test
B. Lachman test
C. Spurling test
D. McMurray test
Correct answer: A — The Romberg test evaluates static balance and proprioception.
8. What is the function of the Golgi tendon organ?
A. Detects joint pressure
B. Detects muscle length
C. Detects muscle tension
D. Detects vibration
Correct answer: C — Golgi tendon organs sense muscle tension and prevent excessive
contraction.
9. The safest transfer technique for a hemiplegic patient is to transfer toward:
A. The weaker side
B. The stronger side
C. Either side equally
D. Opposite to affected side
Correct answer: B — Transferring toward the stronger side provides stability and safety.
10. Which modality uses sound waves to produce deep tissue heating?
A. TENS
B. Ultrasound
C. Infrared
D. Hot pack
Correct answer: B — Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to heat deep tissues.
11. What is the best position to stretch the hamstrings?
A. Knee flexion
B. Hip flexion with knee extension
C. Hip extension
D. Hip abduction
Correct answer: B — Stretching hamstrings requires hip flexion and knee extension.
, 12. Which of the following is an example of an isometric exercise?
A. Biceps curl
B. Wall sit
C. Squat jump
D. Push-up
Correct answer: B — Isometric exercises involve contraction without movement, like a wall sit.
13. What is the primary function of the cerebellum?
A. Speech production
B. Balance and coordination
C. Heart rate control
D. Sensory processing
Correct answer: B — The cerebellum coordinates movement and balance.
14. The main purpose of a goniometer is to measure:
A. Strength
B. Range of motion
C. Pain threshold
D. Muscle tone
Correct answer: B — A goniometer measures joint angles and range of motion.
15. Which of the following is a contraindication for electrical stimulation?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Cardiac pacemaker
C. Poor posture
D. Joint stiffness
Correct answer: B — E-stim is contraindicated in patients with pacemakers due to electrical
interference.
16. Which muscle is known as the “calf muscle”?
A. Soleus
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Tibialis anterior
D. Peroneus longus
Correct answer: B — The gastrocnemius forms the bulk of the calf and assists in plantarflexion.
17. Which position reduces lumbar disc pressure the most?
A. Standing
B. Sitting slouched
C. Supine with knees bent
D. Forward bending
Correct answer: C — Supine with knees bent decreases lumbar disc pressure.
18. Which gait deviation occurs with weak quadriceps?
A. Vaulting
B. Genu recurvatum
