NPTE Practice Exam 2025–2026 Accurate Real Exam
Questions and Verified Correct Answers JUST RELEASED
All of the following management guidelines are followed in the recovery phase of nerve injury EXCEPT:
A. Use electrical stimulation to reinforce active movement
B. Protect weak muscles with a splint
C. Place the weak muscle in its lengthened position
D. Desensitize the extremity involved with contact particles such as beans or macaroni - answer>>>C. Place the
weak muscle in its lengthened position
The muscle should be positioned in its shortened position as it will put less pressure on the nerve. Positioning the
muscle in lengthened position will increase the stress on the nerve. A, B, &D are management guidelines used in
recovery phase.
A 48-year-old patient suffering from diabetes mellitus was referred to an outpatient clinic with a diagnosis of
adhesive capsulitis. The physical therapist examined the patient and decided to utilize mobilizations as part of the
initial treatment. During a grade 2 inferior glide on the glenohumeral joint, the patient complains of severe pain
and irritability. Which of the following interventions is the BEST course of action for the PT to make?
A. Do active assisted exercises and wait for pain to subside
B. Moist heat, glides in opposite direction to the direction of resistance
C. Interferential therapy, moist heat and active assisted exercises
D. Ultrasound, moist heat and active exercises - answer>>>B. Moist heat, glides applied in opposite direction to the
direction of restriction
Painful joint, reflex muscle guarding, and muscle spasm can be treated with gentle joint-play techniques to
stimulate neuro physiological and mechanical effects. Grades I and II are primarily used for treating joints limited
by pain or muscle guarding. The moist heat is given as an adjunct to reduce pain. Assistive exercises will not reduce
the irritability.
Which nerve is commonly injured in the Arcade of Frohse?
A. Posterior interosseous nerve
B. Anterior interosseous nerve
C. Lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm
D. Ulnar nerve - answer>>>A. Posterior interosseous nerve
,The major branch of the radial nerve in the forearm is the posterior interosseous nerve, which may compress as it
passes between the two heads of the supinator in the arcade or canal of Frohse.
A physical therapist is performing cranial nerve testing on a 55-year-old male patient. When observing the
patient's right papillary response to light, the physical therapist observes that there is no constriction of the right
pupil but the left pupil does constrict. Which cranial nerve is the MOST likely cause of this impairment?
A. Left oculomotor nerve (CN III)
B. Right optic nerve (CN II)
C. Right oculomotor nerve (CN III)
D. Left trochlear nerve (CN IV) - answer>>>C. Right oculomotor nerve (CN III)
CN II is afferent and CN III is efferent component of pupillary reflex. Pupillary reaction (constriction) is tested by
shining light in eye. When light is shown in the right eye, intact right CN II (optic) carries sensory information,
which stimulates efferent CN III (occulomotor) to cause constriction of the pupil. As there is constriction of left
pupil and no constriction of right pupil, it indicates that right CN III is affected.
A 55-year-old female patient is being seen by a PT 5 days status post unilateral mastectomy. The PT notes that the
patient is unable to actively adduct the shoulder in the horizontal plane. Which of the following impairments is the
MOST LIKELY origin of the patient's presentation?
A. Stiffness secondary to lymphedema
B. Pectoralis minor tightness
C. Subscapularis weakness
D. Pectoralis major weakness - answer>>>D. Pectoralis major weakness
Pectoralis major/ minor are muscles responsible for horizontal adduction. The pectoral muscles might have been
damaged at the time of mastectomy causing weakness. Stiffness will affect all the movements and not only
adduction. Subscapularis weakness leads to decreased internal rotation and adduction but is less affected with
mastectomy.
Which one of the following sympathetic cardiovascular changes occurs in a patient with long-standing type 1
diabetes mellitus?
A. HR becomes fixed
B. Higher resting HR
C. Lower resting HR
,D. Exercise increases HR - answer>>>A. HR becomes fixed
Long term complication of Type 1 diabetes mellitus is cardiac denervation syndrome which results in a fixed HR
that is unresponsive to exercise, stress or sleep.
All of the following are absolute contraindications for exercise during pregnancy EXCEPT:
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Preeclampsia
C. Severe anemia
D. Chronic bronchitis - answer>>>D. Chronic bronchitis
The woman with chronic bronchitis may participate in an exercise program under close observation by a physician
and a therapist as long as no further complications arise. Exercises often require modification which should be
discussed with the referring practitioner. Restrictive lung disease, preeclampsia and severe anemia are absolute
contraindications to exercise during pregnancy.
While under the oversight of a PT, a patient performs a neurodynamic mobility exercise to reduce neural tension in
the upper extremity. Following the therapy session, the patient calls the clinic to report increased neural
symptoms with prolonged paresthesias. The MOST appropriate response by the physical therapist during the next
session would be to:
A. Explain that this sensation is normal and continue working in the same range
B. Refer the patient back to the orthopedic physician
C. Explain to the patient that this sensation is abnormal and decrease the range used
D. Re-evaluate the patient and determine if there is a different source of their pain - answer>>>C. Explain to the
patient that this sensation is abnormal and decrease the range used
When performing neuromobilization, increased symptoms should be accounted for by decreasing the range that
the exercises are performed in. The therapist would aggravate the patient's symptoms if the same range was
utilized. No further medical action is necessary at this time.
31-year-old pregnant obese female, in her third trimester, is diagnosed with damage of the pudendal nerve. The
patient is referred to physical therapy clinic for pelvic floor strengthening. What is the BEST initial exercise
prescription for the involved muscles?
A. In a supine position; 5 contractions held for 3 seconds each
B. In left side-lying; 10 contractions held for 5 seconds each
, C. In right side-lying; 10 contractions held for 5 seconds each
D. In a seated position; 10 contractions held for 10 seconds each - answer>>>B. In left side-lying; 10 contractions
held for 5 seconds each
For muscle strengthening, initial position can be supine or side-lying but as the patient is pregnant (in the third
trimester), supine position should be avoided. Sitting will help strengthen the muscles against gravity and can be
used in a more advanced phase, hence, left side lying with ten contractions held for 5 seconds each should be
done.
*Doctors recommend pregnant women only lay on their left side because it helps prevent your uterus from laying
on your liver (right side)!
In a restaurant, a therapist sees someone choking. He approaches the individual, and asks to help. The patient
refused, and proceeds to collapse. What is the MOST appropriate next action for the therapist?
A. Call EMS and wait for them, since patient didn't give consent to the PT
B. Call EMS and begin CPR
C. Give abdominal thrusts
D. Position the patient in sidelying - answer>>>B. Call EMS and begin CPR
With an unresponsive patient, activation of the emergency response system, and initiation of CPR should be done.
When a patient is unresponsive consent is considered unless the patient has signed a DNR.
During the initial examination, a physical therapist determines a patient has 3/5 strength of the right subscapularis.
Which of the following activities would be MOST difficult for the patient to perform?
A. Performing a push-up plus with bilateral upper extremities
B. Elevation of the right scapula
C. Extension of the glenohumeral joint
D. Flexion of the humerus overhead - answer>>>D. Flexion of the humerus overhead
Subscapularis is an important muscle of rotator cuff, stabilizing the humeral head in the glenoid cavity; thus
preventing superior translation of the humerus. It is an important muscle in overhead sports. Tear of Subscapularis
can weaken its hold over the Long head of the biceps causing difficulty in overhead activity.
In order to conduct an experimental study on hip strengthening and walking speeds in lower limb amputees, a
physical therapist divides 30 subjects into two groups. One group is treated with a 6-week hip strengthening
Questions and Verified Correct Answers JUST RELEASED
All of the following management guidelines are followed in the recovery phase of nerve injury EXCEPT:
A. Use electrical stimulation to reinforce active movement
B. Protect weak muscles with a splint
C. Place the weak muscle in its lengthened position
D. Desensitize the extremity involved with contact particles such as beans or macaroni - answer>>>C. Place the
weak muscle in its lengthened position
The muscle should be positioned in its shortened position as it will put less pressure on the nerve. Positioning the
muscle in lengthened position will increase the stress on the nerve. A, B, &D are management guidelines used in
recovery phase.
A 48-year-old patient suffering from diabetes mellitus was referred to an outpatient clinic with a diagnosis of
adhesive capsulitis. The physical therapist examined the patient and decided to utilize mobilizations as part of the
initial treatment. During a grade 2 inferior glide on the glenohumeral joint, the patient complains of severe pain
and irritability. Which of the following interventions is the BEST course of action for the PT to make?
A. Do active assisted exercises and wait for pain to subside
B. Moist heat, glides in opposite direction to the direction of resistance
C. Interferential therapy, moist heat and active assisted exercises
D. Ultrasound, moist heat and active exercises - answer>>>B. Moist heat, glides applied in opposite direction to the
direction of restriction
Painful joint, reflex muscle guarding, and muscle spasm can be treated with gentle joint-play techniques to
stimulate neuro physiological and mechanical effects. Grades I and II are primarily used for treating joints limited
by pain or muscle guarding. The moist heat is given as an adjunct to reduce pain. Assistive exercises will not reduce
the irritability.
Which nerve is commonly injured in the Arcade of Frohse?
A. Posterior interosseous nerve
B. Anterior interosseous nerve
C. Lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm
D. Ulnar nerve - answer>>>A. Posterior interosseous nerve
,The major branch of the radial nerve in the forearm is the posterior interosseous nerve, which may compress as it
passes between the two heads of the supinator in the arcade or canal of Frohse.
A physical therapist is performing cranial nerve testing on a 55-year-old male patient. When observing the
patient's right papillary response to light, the physical therapist observes that there is no constriction of the right
pupil but the left pupil does constrict. Which cranial nerve is the MOST likely cause of this impairment?
A. Left oculomotor nerve (CN III)
B. Right optic nerve (CN II)
C. Right oculomotor nerve (CN III)
D. Left trochlear nerve (CN IV) - answer>>>C. Right oculomotor nerve (CN III)
CN II is afferent and CN III is efferent component of pupillary reflex. Pupillary reaction (constriction) is tested by
shining light in eye. When light is shown in the right eye, intact right CN II (optic) carries sensory information,
which stimulates efferent CN III (occulomotor) to cause constriction of the pupil. As there is constriction of left
pupil and no constriction of right pupil, it indicates that right CN III is affected.
A 55-year-old female patient is being seen by a PT 5 days status post unilateral mastectomy. The PT notes that the
patient is unable to actively adduct the shoulder in the horizontal plane. Which of the following impairments is the
MOST LIKELY origin of the patient's presentation?
A. Stiffness secondary to lymphedema
B. Pectoralis minor tightness
C. Subscapularis weakness
D. Pectoralis major weakness - answer>>>D. Pectoralis major weakness
Pectoralis major/ minor are muscles responsible for horizontal adduction. The pectoral muscles might have been
damaged at the time of mastectomy causing weakness. Stiffness will affect all the movements and not only
adduction. Subscapularis weakness leads to decreased internal rotation and adduction but is less affected with
mastectomy.
Which one of the following sympathetic cardiovascular changes occurs in a patient with long-standing type 1
diabetes mellitus?
A. HR becomes fixed
B. Higher resting HR
C. Lower resting HR
,D. Exercise increases HR - answer>>>A. HR becomes fixed
Long term complication of Type 1 diabetes mellitus is cardiac denervation syndrome which results in a fixed HR
that is unresponsive to exercise, stress or sleep.
All of the following are absolute contraindications for exercise during pregnancy EXCEPT:
A. Restrictive lung disease
B. Preeclampsia
C. Severe anemia
D. Chronic bronchitis - answer>>>D. Chronic bronchitis
The woman with chronic bronchitis may participate in an exercise program under close observation by a physician
and a therapist as long as no further complications arise. Exercises often require modification which should be
discussed with the referring practitioner. Restrictive lung disease, preeclampsia and severe anemia are absolute
contraindications to exercise during pregnancy.
While under the oversight of a PT, a patient performs a neurodynamic mobility exercise to reduce neural tension in
the upper extremity. Following the therapy session, the patient calls the clinic to report increased neural
symptoms with prolonged paresthesias. The MOST appropriate response by the physical therapist during the next
session would be to:
A. Explain that this sensation is normal and continue working in the same range
B. Refer the patient back to the orthopedic physician
C. Explain to the patient that this sensation is abnormal and decrease the range used
D. Re-evaluate the patient and determine if there is a different source of their pain - answer>>>C. Explain to the
patient that this sensation is abnormal and decrease the range used
When performing neuromobilization, increased symptoms should be accounted for by decreasing the range that
the exercises are performed in. The therapist would aggravate the patient's symptoms if the same range was
utilized. No further medical action is necessary at this time.
31-year-old pregnant obese female, in her third trimester, is diagnosed with damage of the pudendal nerve. The
patient is referred to physical therapy clinic for pelvic floor strengthening. What is the BEST initial exercise
prescription for the involved muscles?
A. In a supine position; 5 contractions held for 3 seconds each
B. In left side-lying; 10 contractions held for 5 seconds each
, C. In right side-lying; 10 contractions held for 5 seconds each
D. In a seated position; 10 contractions held for 10 seconds each - answer>>>B. In left side-lying; 10 contractions
held for 5 seconds each
For muscle strengthening, initial position can be supine or side-lying but as the patient is pregnant (in the third
trimester), supine position should be avoided. Sitting will help strengthen the muscles against gravity and can be
used in a more advanced phase, hence, left side lying with ten contractions held for 5 seconds each should be
done.
*Doctors recommend pregnant women only lay on their left side because it helps prevent your uterus from laying
on your liver (right side)!
In a restaurant, a therapist sees someone choking. He approaches the individual, and asks to help. The patient
refused, and proceeds to collapse. What is the MOST appropriate next action for the therapist?
A. Call EMS and wait for them, since patient didn't give consent to the PT
B. Call EMS and begin CPR
C. Give abdominal thrusts
D. Position the patient in sidelying - answer>>>B. Call EMS and begin CPR
With an unresponsive patient, activation of the emergency response system, and initiation of CPR should be done.
When a patient is unresponsive consent is considered unless the patient has signed a DNR.
During the initial examination, a physical therapist determines a patient has 3/5 strength of the right subscapularis.
Which of the following activities would be MOST difficult for the patient to perform?
A. Performing a push-up plus with bilateral upper extremities
B. Elevation of the right scapula
C. Extension of the glenohumeral joint
D. Flexion of the humerus overhead - answer>>>D. Flexion of the humerus overhead
Subscapularis is an important muscle of rotator cuff, stabilizing the humeral head in the glenoid cavity; thus
preventing superior translation of the humerus. It is an important muscle in overhead sports. Tear of Subscapularis
can weaken its hold over the Long head of the biceps causing difficulty in overhead activity.
In order to conduct an experimental study on hip strengthening and walking speeds in lower limb amputees, a
physical therapist divides 30 subjects into two groups. One group is treated with a 6-week hip strengthening
