CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY EXPERTS
NPTE PEAT EXAM (2025 ACADEMIC VERSION)
➢ A physical therapist is gross manual testing the trunk of a female patient who has a history of
stroke. The patient, in prone position, moves into the direction of trunk extension with her
hands behind the ears. Trunk extension includes the following muscles except:
a. Interspinales b. Erector spinae c. Rectus abdominis d. Semispinalis thoracis
Answer: C – Rectus abdominis is a trunk flexor. Interspinales, erector spinae, semispinalis
thoracis, intertransversarii, and multifidi, are classified as trunk extensors. A patient who is able
to perform trunk extension with the hands behind the ears is a normal result. A poor result is
characterized by moving into the direction of trunk extension as the arms follow.
➢ The ankle and the foot are complex structures that work together during gait to provide balance
as the body walks over an uneven ground. The ankle joint is responsible for the following:
I. Lateral adjustments
II. Stability
III. Forward motion
IV. Medial adjustments
a. I, IV. B. II, III c.I, II, III D, I, III, IV
Answer: B – The ankle joint is responsible for forward motion and stability. The foot joints are
responsible for medial and lateral adjustments. At heel strike, the initial contact occurs at the
posterior-lateral heel. At midstance, the weight of the body is behind the metatarsal heads. At
toe off, the weight is mainly over the first and second metatarsal heads.
➢ A patient is referred to the clinic for a cardiac rehabilitation program. The history of the patient
reveals a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, involving the left coronary artery. This artery divides
into two major arteries: the left anterior descending artery and the circumflex artery. The left
descending artery supplies which of the following:
a. Lateral surfaces of the left ventricle.
b. Sinoatrial nodes.
c. Anterior ventricular wall.
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d. Right atrium.
Answer: C – The left anterior descending artery supplies the anterior ventricular wall. Option A
is supplied by the circumflex artery. Options B and D are supplied by the right coronary artery.
➢ A physical therapist asks a female patient suspected of S1 nerve root compression to try walking
on her toes. This test aims to check for muscle weakness. Walking on toes aims to tests which
of the following muscles of the lower extremity?
a. Flexor digitorum longus
b. Sartorius
c. Semimembranosus
d. Flexor digitorum brevis
Answer: A – Walking on toes tests the flexor digitorum longus muscle. This muscle also assists
in foot inversion. Sartorious flexes, laterally rotates, and abducts the hip joint.
Semimembranosus flexes and medially rotates the knee joint. Flexor digitorum brevis flexes the
proximal interphalangeal joints.
➢ A patient who has had a stroke is assessed by the physical therapist before starting a course of
physical therapy. On assessment, the patient demonstrates contralateral weakness,
contralateral sensory loss of the toes, foot and leg, and inability to make decisions. Urinary
incontinence is also noted. The artery that was most likely affected is:
a. Internal carotid artery
b. Vertebral artery
c. Anterior cerebral artery
d. Middle cerebral artery
Answer: C – The anterior cerebral artery was most likely affected. A stroke in the internal carotid
artery injury is manifested by aphasia, apraxia, and homonymous hemianopia. A stroke in the
vertebral artery is characterized by numbness and weakness of the face, dysphagia, and facial
pain. A stroke in middle cerebral artery is manifested by stupor, drowsiness, and global aphasia.
➢ A single nerve root can supply more than one peripheral nerve. Because of this, if pressure is
applied to one nerve root, the distribution of sensation or motor function is exhibited in more
than one peripheral nerve distribution. If the L5 is compressed, which of the following is most
likely reported by the patient?
a. Low back pain that radiates to the upper buttock, to the back of the thigh, and to the back of
the leg
b. Medial knee pain
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c. Hyposthesias in front of the thigh
d. Hyposthesias in the fifth and lateral half of the fourth toes
Answer: A – If L5 is compressed, low back pain radiating to the upper buttock, to the back of the
thigh, and to the back of the leg is most likely reported by the patient. Compression of L5 may
affect the sciatic nerve. Option B is manifested by irritation of the saphenous nerve, which is
supplied by L3 and L4. Option C is manifested by irritation of the femoral nerve, which is supplied
by L2, L3, and L4. Option D is manifested by lateral plantar nerve, which is supplied by S1 and
S2.
➢ Assessment of a 3-month-old child reveals a palpable clunk when the left hip is reduced in and
out of the acetabulum. The child is suspected of developmental dysplasia of the hip with
subluxation. Which of the following statements most accurately describes a subluxation?
a. It refers to antenatal dislocation of the hip.
b. It describes the ability to subluxate the hip with passive movements.
c. It involves incomplete contact between the articular surface of the femoral head and the
acetabulum.
d. It refers to complete absence of contact between the articular surface of the femoral head and
acetabulum.
Answer: C – Subluxation is the incomplete contact between the articular surface of the femoral
head and acetabulum. Option A refers to teratologic dislocation. Option B refers to instability.
Option D describes dislocation of the hip.
➢ The cerebral cortex, the outer gray layer of the brain, is mainly responsible for conscious
activities of the cerebrum. The cerebral cortex consists of four lobes. The Wernicke’s area for
sensory and speech is located in which lobe?
a. Frontal
b. Occipital
c. Parietal
d. Temporal
Answer: D – The Wernicke’s area for sensory and speech is located in the temporal lobe. The
Broca’s area for speech is located in the frontal lobe. The visual area is found in the occipital
lobe. Interpretation of touch, pressure, pain, and temperature occurs in the parietal lobe.
➢ There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves that branch off from the spinal cord. In the cervical region,
the spinal nerves exit (1) the vertebra. In the thoracic region, the spinal nerves exit
(2) the vertebra. In thelumbar region, the spinal nerves exit
(3) the vertebra.
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a. 1- above; 2- above; 3- above
b. 1- above; 2- below; 3- above
c. 1- above; 2- below; 3- below
d. 1- below; 2- above; 3- above
Answer: C – In the cervical spine, the spinal nerves exit above the vertebra. However, the C8
exits below the C7 vertebra. The spinal nerves exit below their equivalent vertebrae. For
example, the T5 spinal nerve exits through the foramen in the fifth thoracic vertebra.
➢ The pain distribution of trigeminal neuralgia follows the sensory distribution of the fifth cranial
nerve, which typically radiates to the maxillary branch. The maxillary branch is one of the fifth
cranial nerve’s three branches. This branch supplies sensation to which area of the head?
a. Front of the head
b. Lower jaw
c. Bottom lip
d. Side of the nose
Answer: D – The maxillary branch supplies the side of the nose. The front of the head is supplied
by the ophthalmic branch. The lower jaw and bottom lip are supplied by the mandibular branch.
The maxillary branch runs through the cheek, upper jaw, on top of the lips, teeth, and gums.
➢ A football player who complains of burning pain in the supraclavicular area that radiates down
to the arm is diagnosed with Grade II peripheral nerve injury. Grade II is classified as
axonotmesis. Which of the following accurately describes axonotmesis?
a. It involves axonal damage and Wallerian degeneration; the Schwann sheath is intact.
b. It involves nerve function disruption due to demyelinization; the axonal integrity is intact.
c. It involves axonal and Schwann sheath damage; the nerve damage is permanent.
d. It involves disruption of nerve function without axonal damage; remyelinization occurs within 3
weeks.
Answer: A – Axonotmesis involves axonal damage and Wallerian degeneration, with intact
supporting structures. In this type of injury, the internal structure is preserved, so recovery is
still achievable. Option B refers to grade I nerve damage, or neuropraxia. Option C refers to
grade III nerve damage or neurotmesis.
➢ A patient demonstrates loss of muscle strength in all four extremities due to a spinal cord injury.
Which of the following is accurately derived from the finding?
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY EXPERTS
NPTE PEAT EXAM (2025 ACADEMIC VERSION)
➢ A physical therapist is gross manual testing the trunk of a female patient who has a history of
stroke. The patient, in prone position, moves into the direction of trunk extension with her
hands behind the ears. Trunk extension includes the following muscles except:
a. Interspinales b. Erector spinae c. Rectus abdominis d. Semispinalis thoracis
Answer: C – Rectus abdominis is a trunk flexor. Interspinales, erector spinae, semispinalis
thoracis, intertransversarii, and multifidi, are classified as trunk extensors. A patient who is able
to perform trunk extension with the hands behind the ears is a normal result. A poor result is
characterized by moving into the direction of trunk extension as the arms follow.
➢ The ankle and the foot are complex structures that work together during gait to provide balance
as the body walks over an uneven ground. The ankle joint is responsible for the following:
I. Lateral adjustments
II. Stability
III. Forward motion
IV. Medial adjustments
a. I, IV. B. II, III c.I, II, III D, I, III, IV
Answer: B – The ankle joint is responsible for forward motion and stability. The foot joints are
responsible for medial and lateral adjustments. At heel strike, the initial contact occurs at the
posterior-lateral heel. At midstance, the weight of the body is behind the metatarsal heads. At
toe off, the weight is mainly over the first and second metatarsal heads.
➢ A patient is referred to the clinic for a cardiac rehabilitation program. The history of the patient
reveals a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, involving the left coronary artery. This artery divides
into two major arteries: the left anterior descending artery and the circumflex artery. The left
descending artery supplies which of the following:
a. Lateral surfaces of the left ventricle.
b. Sinoatrial nodes.
c. Anterior ventricular wall.
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, CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY EXPERTS
d. Right atrium.
Answer: C – The left anterior descending artery supplies the anterior ventricular wall. Option A
is supplied by the circumflex artery. Options B and D are supplied by the right coronary artery.
➢ A physical therapist asks a female patient suspected of S1 nerve root compression to try walking
on her toes. This test aims to check for muscle weakness. Walking on toes aims to tests which
of the following muscles of the lower extremity?
a. Flexor digitorum longus
b. Sartorius
c. Semimembranosus
d. Flexor digitorum brevis
Answer: A – Walking on toes tests the flexor digitorum longus muscle. This muscle also assists
in foot inversion. Sartorious flexes, laterally rotates, and abducts the hip joint.
Semimembranosus flexes and medially rotates the knee joint. Flexor digitorum brevis flexes the
proximal interphalangeal joints.
➢ A patient who has had a stroke is assessed by the physical therapist before starting a course of
physical therapy. On assessment, the patient demonstrates contralateral weakness,
contralateral sensory loss of the toes, foot and leg, and inability to make decisions. Urinary
incontinence is also noted. The artery that was most likely affected is:
a. Internal carotid artery
b. Vertebral artery
c. Anterior cerebral artery
d. Middle cerebral artery
Answer: C – The anterior cerebral artery was most likely affected. A stroke in the internal carotid
artery injury is manifested by aphasia, apraxia, and homonymous hemianopia. A stroke in the
vertebral artery is characterized by numbness and weakness of the face, dysphagia, and facial
pain. A stroke in middle cerebral artery is manifested by stupor, drowsiness, and global aphasia.
➢ A single nerve root can supply more than one peripheral nerve. Because of this, if pressure is
applied to one nerve root, the distribution of sensation or motor function is exhibited in more
than one peripheral nerve distribution. If the L5 is compressed, which of the following is most
likely reported by the patient?
a. Low back pain that radiates to the upper buttock, to the back of the thigh, and to the back of
the leg
b. Medial knee pain
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c. Hyposthesias in front of the thigh
d. Hyposthesias in the fifth and lateral half of the fourth toes
Answer: A – If L5 is compressed, low back pain radiating to the upper buttock, to the back of the
thigh, and to the back of the leg is most likely reported by the patient. Compression of L5 may
affect the sciatic nerve. Option B is manifested by irritation of the saphenous nerve, which is
supplied by L3 and L4. Option C is manifested by irritation of the femoral nerve, which is supplied
by L2, L3, and L4. Option D is manifested by lateral plantar nerve, which is supplied by S1 and
S2.
➢ Assessment of a 3-month-old child reveals a palpable clunk when the left hip is reduced in and
out of the acetabulum. The child is suspected of developmental dysplasia of the hip with
subluxation. Which of the following statements most accurately describes a subluxation?
a. It refers to antenatal dislocation of the hip.
b. It describes the ability to subluxate the hip with passive movements.
c. It involves incomplete contact between the articular surface of the femoral head and the
acetabulum.
d. It refers to complete absence of contact between the articular surface of the femoral head and
acetabulum.
Answer: C – Subluxation is the incomplete contact between the articular surface of the femoral
head and acetabulum. Option A refers to teratologic dislocation. Option B refers to instability.
Option D describes dislocation of the hip.
➢ The cerebral cortex, the outer gray layer of the brain, is mainly responsible for conscious
activities of the cerebrum. The cerebral cortex consists of four lobes. The Wernicke’s area for
sensory and speech is located in which lobe?
a. Frontal
b. Occipital
c. Parietal
d. Temporal
Answer: D – The Wernicke’s area for sensory and speech is located in the temporal lobe. The
Broca’s area for speech is located in the frontal lobe. The visual area is found in the occipital
lobe. Interpretation of touch, pressure, pain, and temperature occurs in the parietal lobe.
➢ There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves that branch off from the spinal cord. In the cervical region,
the spinal nerves exit (1) the vertebra. In the thoracic region, the spinal nerves exit
(2) the vertebra. In thelumbar region, the spinal nerves exit
(3) the vertebra.
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a. 1- above; 2- above; 3- above
b. 1- above; 2- below; 3- above
c. 1- above; 2- below; 3- below
d. 1- below; 2- above; 3- above
Answer: C – In the cervical spine, the spinal nerves exit above the vertebra. However, the C8
exits below the C7 vertebra. The spinal nerves exit below their equivalent vertebrae. For
example, the T5 spinal nerve exits through the foramen in the fifth thoracic vertebra.
➢ The pain distribution of trigeminal neuralgia follows the sensory distribution of the fifth cranial
nerve, which typically radiates to the maxillary branch. The maxillary branch is one of the fifth
cranial nerve’s three branches. This branch supplies sensation to which area of the head?
a. Front of the head
b. Lower jaw
c. Bottom lip
d. Side of the nose
Answer: D – The maxillary branch supplies the side of the nose. The front of the head is supplied
by the ophthalmic branch. The lower jaw and bottom lip are supplied by the mandibular branch.
The maxillary branch runs through the cheek, upper jaw, on top of the lips, teeth, and gums.
➢ A football player who complains of burning pain in the supraclavicular area that radiates down
to the arm is diagnosed with Grade II peripheral nerve injury. Grade II is classified as
axonotmesis. Which of the following accurately describes axonotmesis?
a. It involves axonal damage and Wallerian degeneration; the Schwann sheath is intact.
b. It involves nerve function disruption due to demyelinization; the axonal integrity is intact.
c. It involves axonal and Schwann sheath damage; the nerve damage is permanent.
d. It involves disruption of nerve function without axonal damage; remyelinization occurs within 3
weeks.
Answer: A – Axonotmesis involves axonal damage and Wallerian degeneration, with intact
supporting structures. In this type of injury, the internal structure is preserved, so recovery is
still achievable. Option B refers to grade I nerve damage, or neuropraxia. Option C refers to
grade III nerve damage or neurotmesis.
➢ A patient demonstrates loss of muscle strength in all four extremities due to a spinal cord injury.
Which of the following is accurately derived from the finding?
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