TherapyEd Practice Test 1 – Study Guide (Physical Therapy Exam Prep, Practice
Questions & Answer Explanations)
A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome was just weaned from a ventilator. The patient has a
maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) of −35cmH2O and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) of
40cmH2O. Which of the following is an expected finding on examination?
Asymmetrical decreased costal expansion.
Increased inspiration: expiration (I:E) ratio.
Increased subcostal angle.
Ineffective cough for secretion clearance. - ANS ✔✔Ineffective cough for secretion clearance.
When both the MIP and MEP are affected in this way, it indicates significant ventilator muscle
weakness. This weakness leads to problems with drawing air in and expelling it out. Making a
forceful cough difficult to expel secretions.
GBS is a type of RESTRICTIVE LUNG DISEASE
Incorrect Choices:
The patient will have decreased costal expansion, but it will be symmetrical. Both increased I:E
ratio and subcostal angle are findings consistent with someone with obstructive lung disease
and lung hyperinflation
A patient with chronic asthma has been admitted to the hospital for an acute exacerbation.
What is the MOST important information the therapist needs in order to determine the
patient's prognosis with physical therapy?
,A current medication list.
A previous history of the disease.
The most recent chest x-ray results.
The most recent pulmonary function test results. - ANS ✔✔The most recent pulmonary
function test results.
These results will allow the therapist to have a better understanding of what the patient is able
to handle currently to best assess the patient's outcomes with therapy.
Which common musculoskeletal complication of cystic fibrosis is important to combat with a
resistance training program?
Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Polyarthralgia.
Decreased bone density.
Joint contractures. - ANS ✔✔Decreased bone density
Cystic fibrosis will increase the amount of thick sticky mucus blocking the airways. It will also
develop mucus in the common bile duct leading to malabsorption of nutrients which leads to
decreased bone density.
,Important to note that resistance training will help with reversing the disease process.
What is an acceptable modified position to drain the posterior basal segment of the left lower
lobe in a patient with pulmonary infiltrate?
Side-lying on the right, with a pillow under the right hip and the bed flat.
Prone, with a pillow under the hips and the bed flat.
Side-lying on the right, with a pillow between the legs and the foot of the bed elevated 18
inches.
Prone, with a pillow under the hips and the head of the bed elevated 18 inches. - ANS ✔✔Prone
with a pillow under the hips and the bed flat
This is the acceptible modified drainage position for the posterior basal segment of the left
lower lobe.
Side-lying with bed flat will help drain the lingula.
Raising the bed in prone, will make drainage more difficult.
A patient is recovering from a mild stroke with trunk weakness and postural instability. The
patient complains of severe heartburn. What is the BEST choice to maximize stroke recovery
and improve trunk stabilization while minimizing heartburn?
Perform trunk stabilization exercises with the patient in the semi-Fowler position.
Begin with bridging exercises progressing to sitting holding.
, Perform resisted holding in sitting using rhythmic stabilization.
Instruct the patient to take antacids right before physical therapy. - ANS ✔✔Perform resisted
holding in sitting using rhythmic stabilization
Heartburn is a common symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), changing the
patient's position can help with reduction of symptoms. Having the patient seated upright will
best benefit him, along with rhythmic stabilization assisting with trunk and postural
weakness/instability.
*the semi-fowler position, would not help with trunk/postural stability.*
A patient is referred to physical therapy with a chief complaint of pain involving their hips, low
back, and shoulders. The patient is unable to identify any precipitating event or trauma that led
to their symptoms. During the physical examination of these regions, the therapist is unable to
reproduce the patient's symptoms. The patient also reports experiencing recent bouts of
diarrhea, abdominal pain, and skin rashes. The therapist suspects that a systemic disorder may
account for all of the patient 's complaints. Which disease is the most likely explanation for this
patient 's clinical presentation?
Colorectal cancer.
Inflammatory bowel disease.
Diverticulitis.
Pancreatitis. - ANS ✔✔Inflammatory bowel disease
Questions & Answer Explanations)
A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome was just weaned from a ventilator. The patient has a
maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) of −35cmH2O and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) of
40cmH2O. Which of the following is an expected finding on examination?
Asymmetrical decreased costal expansion.
Increased inspiration: expiration (I:E) ratio.
Increased subcostal angle.
Ineffective cough for secretion clearance. - ANS ✔✔Ineffective cough for secretion clearance.
When both the MIP and MEP are affected in this way, it indicates significant ventilator muscle
weakness. This weakness leads to problems with drawing air in and expelling it out. Making a
forceful cough difficult to expel secretions.
GBS is a type of RESTRICTIVE LUNG DISEASE
Incorrect Choices:
The patient will have decreased costal expansion, but it will be symmetrical. Both increased I:E
ratio and subcostal angle are findings consistent with someone with obstructive lung disease
and lung hyperinflation
A patient with chronic asthma has been admitted to the hospital for an acute exacerbation.
What is the MOST important information the therapist needs in order to determine the
patient's prognosis with physical therapy?
,A current medication list.
A previous history of the disease.
The most recent chest x-ray results.
The most recent pulmonary function test results. - ANS ✔✔The most recent pulmonary
function test results.
These results will allow the therapist to have a better understanding of what the patient is able
to handle currently to best assess the patient's outcomes with therapy.
Which common musculoskeletal complication of cystic fibrosis is important to combat with a
resistance training program?
Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Polyarthralgia.
Decreased bone density.
Joint contractures. - ANS ✔✔Decreased bone density
Cystic fibrosis will increase the amount of thick sticky mucus blocking the airways. It will also
develop mucus in the common bile duct leading to malabsorption of nutrients which leads to
decreased bone density.
,Important to note that resistance training will help with reversing the disease process.
What is an acceptable modified position to drain the posterior basal segment of the left lower
lobe in a patient with pulmonary infiltrate?
Side-lying on the right, with a pillow under the right hip and the bed flat.
Prone, with a pillow under the hips and the bed flat.
Side-lying on the right, with a pillow between the legs and the foot of the bed elevated 18
inches.
Prone, with a pillow under the hips and the head of the bed elevated 18 inches. - ANS ✔✔Prone
with a pillow under the hips and the bed flat
This is the acceptible modified drainage position for the posterior basal segment of the left
lower lobe.
Side-lying with bed flat will help drain the lingula.
Raising the bed in prone, will make drainage more difficult.
A patient is recovering from a mild stroke with trunk weakness and postural instability. The
patient complains of severe heartburn. What is the BEST choice to maximize stroke recovery
and improve trunk stabilization while minimizing heartburn?
Perform trunk stabilization exercises with the patient in the semi-Fowler position.
Begin with bridging exercises progressing to sitting holding.
, Perform resisted holding in sitting using rhythmic stabilization.
Instruct the patient to take antacids right before physical therapy. - ANS ✔✔Perform resisted
holding in sitting using rhythmic stabilization
Heartburn is a common symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), changing the
patient's position can help with reduction of symptoms. Having the patient seated upright will
best benefit him, along with rhythmic stabilization assisting with trunk and postural
weakness/instability.
*the semi-fowler position, would not help with trunk/postural stability.*
A patient is referred to physical therapy with a chief complaint of pain involving their hips, low
back, and shoulders. The patient is unable to identify any precipitating event or trauma that led
to their symptoms. During the physical examination of these regions, the therapist is unable to
reproduce the patient's symptoms. The patient also reports experiencing recent bouts of
diarrhea, abdominal pain, and skin rashes. The therapist suspects that a systemic disorder may
account for all of the patient 's complaints. Which disease is the most likely explanation for this
patient 's clinical presentation?
Colorectal cancer.
Inflammatory bowel disease.
Diverticulitis.
Pancreatitis. - ANS ✔✔Inflammatory bowel disease
