NPTE Practice Exam 560 Questions with Verified Answers
The patient in the photograph sustained a twisting injury to the knee 1 week ago.
The physical therapist notes laxity when performing the test demonstrated in the
photograph. The patient wants to resume athletic activity as soon as possible.
Which of the following criteria MUST be met before the patient returns to athletic
activity? (PT is performing lachmen test)
1. The patient can demonstrate ability to jump and land with stability.
2. The patient's gait is nonantalgic.
3. Knee functional range of motion is restored, and pain is rated less than 5/10.
4. Knee effusion is abolished, quadriceps strength is Fair (4/5), and pain is rated
0/10. - CORRECT ANSWER 1
A 13-year-old patient reports moderate knee pain persisting more than 3 weeks,
with no trauma noted. The patient exhibits an out-toeing gait pattern, leg length
discrepancy, and restriction in medial (internal) rotation of the involved leg.
Which of the following test findings would MOST likely be present?
1. Pain with palpation of the trochanteric region
2. Pain and instability during the application of valgus stress to the knee in full
extension
3. Pain in the groin region with hips flexed 80° to 90° and then medially
(internally) rotated with adduction
4. Pain in the gluteal region with combined movements of hip flexion to 45° to
60°, abduction, and lateral (external) rotation - CORRECT ANSWER 3
A physical therapist is doffing personal protective equipment after treating a
patient as shown in the video. Which of the following infectious agents is the
patient MOST likely carrying? (Person in gown, gloves, and mask)
1. Influenza virus
2. Varicella zoster virus
3. Clostridium difficile
4. Myobacterium tuberculosis - CORRECT ANSWER 1
,The photograph depicts the end range of a patient's hip motion. Which of the
following arthrokinematic motions is MOST likely restricted? (guy in prone, PT
moving leg in IR)
1. Anterior glide
2. Posterior glide
3. Inferior glide
4. Superior glide - CORRECT ANSWER 2
A patient reports significant hypersensitivity to light touch in the left foot and
ankle region following minor trauma. A physical therapist notes warmth, swelling,
and redness over the entire foot and ankle. Which of the following interventions
is MOST appropriate?
1. Continuous ultrasound
2. Gait training, non-weight-bearing on the left
3. Deep friction massage
4. Progressive weight-bearing activities - CORRECT ANSWER 4
One day after lumbar laminectomy surgery, a patient refuses to wear a
thoracolumbosacral orthosis because of a painful and itching rash that extends in
a narrow path from the central low back along the iliac crest to the right lateral
trunk. Which of the following conditions is MOST likely present?
1. Herpes zoster
2. Infected surgical incision
3. Contact dermatitis
4. Allergic response to medication - CORRECT ANSWER 1
Which of the following dressings is MOST appropriate to use with an infected
wound that also requires hemostasis?
1. Foam
2. Alginate
3. Transparent film
4. Hydrocolloid - CORRECT ANSWER 2
During the initial screening of a patient, the physical therapist notes contusions in
various states of healing on the chest, back, and face, as well as multiple scars.
The patient reports falling often. Which of the following courses of action should
the therapist take FIRST?
,1. Take the patient's dietary history to assess for mineral deficiency.
2. Ask the patient if bruising was caused by being hit, kicked, or abused.
3. Instruct the patient in safe movement patterns to avoid falls.
4. Report the patient's caregivers to the appropriate authorities - CORRECT
ANSWER 2
In the photograph, which systems are PREDOMINANTLY being used by the patient
to maintain balance? (Standing on a pillow, feet together eyes open)
1. Visual and vestibular
2. Visual and proprioceptive
3. Proprioceptive and vestibular
4. Vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive - CORRECT ANSWER 1
A patient who has a spinal cord injury reports having spastic (reflex) bowel
function. Which of the following descriptions BEST characterizes the patient's
neurologic injury?
1. Injury above spinal segments S2-S4, leaving spinal defecation reflexes intact
2. Injury at or below spinal segments S2-S4, leaving spinal defecation reflexes
intact
3. Injury above spinal segments S2-S4, abolishing spinal defecation reflexes
4. Injury at or below spinal segments S2-S4, abolishing spinal defecation reflexes -
CORRECT ANSWER 1
A 12-year-old patient who has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy has full passive range
of motion of the lower extremities, but demonstrates crouching with hip and
knee flexion angles of 20° each in standing position. Which of the following
interventions is BEST to achieve sustained improvements in lower extremity
alignment during walking?
1. Stretching of the iliopsoas
2. Strengthening of the quadriceps and gluteals
3. Stretching of the hamstrings and gastrocnemius
4. Strengthening of the hamstrings and gastrocnemius - CORRECT ANSWER 2
A patient has higher than normal residual volume, absent or mucoid sputum, and
spirometry measures that are unimproved with bronchodilators. The patient
MOST likely has which of the following conditions?
1. Asthma
, 2. Pneumococcal pneumonia
3. Chronic bronchitis
4. Emphysema - CORRECT ANSWER 4
A patient is referred to a physical therapist for treatment of chronic neck pain.
During the examination, the therapist notices that the patient has a marked ulnar
drift in both hands at the MCP joints. Which of the following treatments should
the therapist perform?
1. Cervical stabilization exercises with the patient in good postural alignment
2. Gentle cervical mobilization for 8 minutes
3. Intermittent cervical traction at 8% of the patient's body weight for 10 minutes
4. Moist hot pack on the patient's cervical spine with the patient in sitting position
for 15 minutes - CORRECT ANSWER 1
A patient exhibits swelling and pain in the medial aspect of the ankle. During
examination, the patient demonstrates rearfoot pronation in standing position
and inability to perform a heel raise on the affected side. The patient
demonstrates forefoot abduction when observed from behind. Which of the
following conditions is MOST likely present?
1. Eversion ankle sprain
2. Retrocalcaneal bursitis
3. Tarsal tunnel syndrome
4. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction - CORRECT ANSWER 4
The position demonstrated in the photograph is BEST used to treat a patient who
has which of the following conditions? (Radial nerve test; asking for change)
1. Cubital tunnel syndrome
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome
3. Medial epicondyle tendinopathy
4. Lateral epicondyle tendinopathy - CORRECT ANSWER 4
A child who has athetoid cerebral palsy is MOST likely to exhibit which of the
following characteristics?
1. Sustained limb posturing
2. Low frequency tremor
3. Rapid, jerky motions
4. Mixed muscle tone - CORRECT ANSWER 4
The patient in the photograph sustained a twisting injury to the knee 1 week ago.
The physical therapist notes laxity when performing the test demonstrated in the
photograph. The patient wants to resume athletic activity as soon as possible.
Which of the following criteria MUST be met before the patient returns to athletic
activity? (PT is performing lachmen test)
1. The patient can demonstrate ability to jump and land with stability.
2. The patient's gait is nonantalgic.
3. Knee functional range of motion is restored, and pain is rated less than 5/10.
4. Knee effusion is abolished, quadriceps strength is Fair (4/5), and pain is rated
0/10. - CORRECT ANSWER 1
A 13-year-old patient reports moderate knee pain persisting more than 3 weeks,
with no trauma noted. The patient exhibits an out-toeing gait pattern, leg length
discrepancy, and restriction in medial (internal) rotation of the involved leg.
Which of the following test findings would MOST likely be present?
1. Pain with palpation of the trochanteric region
2. Pain and instability during the application of valgus stress to the knee in full
extension
3. Pain in the groin region with hips flexed 80° to 90° and then medially
(internally) rotated with adduction
4. Pain in the gluteal region with combined movements of hip flexion to 45° to
60°, abduction, and lateral (external) rotation - CORRECT ANSWER 3
A physical therapist is doffing personal protective equipment after treating a
patient as shown in the video. Which of the following infectious agents is the
patient MOST likely carrying? (Person in gown, gloves, and mask)
1. Influenza virus
2. Varicella zoster virus
3. Clostridium difficile
4. Myobacterium tuberculosis - CORRECT ANSWER 1
,The photograph depicts the end range of a patient's hip motion. Which of the
following arthrokinematic motions is MOST likely restricted? (guy in prone, PT
moving leg in IR)
1. Anterior glide
2. Posterior glide
3. Inferior glide
4. Superior glide - CORRECT ANSWER 2
A patient reports significant hypersensitivity to light touch in the left foot and
ankle region following minor trauma. A physical therapist notes warmth, swelling,
and redness over the entire foot and ankle. Which of the following interventions
is MOST appropriate?
1. Continuous ultrasound
2. Gait training, non-weight-bearing on the left
3. Deep friction massage
4. Progressive weight-bearing activities - CORRECT ANSWER 4
One day after lumbar laminectomy surgery, a patient refuses to wear a
thoracolumbosacral orthosis because of a painful and itching rash that extends in
a narrow path from the central low back along the iliac crest to the right lateral
trunk. Which of the following conditions is MOST likely present?
1. Herpes zoster
2. Infected surgical incision
3. Contact dermatitis
4. Allergic response to medication - CORRECT ANSWER 1
Which of the following dressings is MOST appropriate to use with an infected
wound that also requires hemostasis?
1. Foam
2. Alginate
3. Transparent film
4. Hydrocolloid - CORRECT ANSWER 2
During the initial screening of a patient, the physical therapist notes contusions in
various states of healing on the chest, back, and face, as well as multiple scars.
The patient reports falling often. Which of the following courses of action should
the therapist take FIRST?
,1. Take the patient's dietary history to assess for mineral deficiency.
2. Ask the patient if bruising was caused by being hit, kicked, or abused.
3. Instruct the patient in safe movement patterns to avoid falls.
4. Report the patient's caregivers to the appropriate authorities - CORRECT
ANSWER 2
In the photograph, which systems are PREDOMINANTLY being used by the patient
to maintain balance? (Standing on a pillow, feet together eyes open)
1. Visual and vestibular
2. Visual and proprioceptive
3. Proprioceptive and vestibular
4. Vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive - CORRECT ANSWER 1
A patient who has a spinal cord injury reports having spastic (reflex) bowel
function. Which of the following descriptions BEST characterizes the patient's
neurologic injury?
1. Injury above spinal segments S2-S4, leaving spinal defecation reflexes intact
2. Injury at or below spinal segments S2-S4, leaving spinal defecation reflexes
intact
3. Injury above spinal segments S2-S4, abolishing spinal defecation reflexes
4. Injury at or below spinal segments S2-S4, abolishing spinal defecation reflexes -
CORRECT ANSWER 1
A 12-year-old patient who has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy has full passive range
of motion of the lower extremities, but demonstrates crouching with hip and
knee flexion angles of 20° each in standing position. Which of the following
interventions is BEST to achieve sustained improvements in lower extremity
alignment during walking?
1. Stretching of the iliopsoas
2. Strengthening of the quadriceps and gluteals
3. Stretching of the hamstrings and gastrocnemius
4. Strengthening of the hamstrings and gastrocnemius - CORRECT ANSWER 2
A patient has higher than normal residual volume, absent or mucoid sputum, and
spirometry measures that are unimproved with bronchodilators. The patient
MOST likely has which of the following conditions?
1. Asthma
, 2. Pneumococcal pneumonia
3. Chronic bronchitis
4. Emphysema - CORRECT ANSWER 4
A patient is referred to a physical therapist for treatment of chronic neck pain.
During the examination, the therapist notices that the patient has a marked ulnar
drift in both hands at the MCP joints. Which of the following treatments should
the therapist perform?
1. Cervical stabilization exercises with the patient in good postural alignment
2. Gentle cervical mobilization for 8 minutes
3. Intermittent cervical traction at 8% of the patient's body weight for 10 minutes
4. Moist hot pack on the patient's cervical spine with the patient in sitting position
for 15 minutes - CORRECT ANSWER 1
A patient exhibits swelling and pain in the medial aspect of the ankle. During
examination, the patient demonstrates rearfoot pronation in standing position
and inability to perform a heel raise on the affected side. The patient
demonstrates forefoot abduction when observed from behind. Which of the
following conditions is MOST likely present?
1. Eversion ankle sprain
2. Retrocalcaneal bursitis
3. Tarsal tunnel syndrome
4. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction - CORRECT ANSWER 4
The position demonstrated in the photograph is BEST used to treat a patient who
has which of the following conditions? (Radial nerve test; asking for change)
1. Cubital tunnel syndrome
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome
3. Medial epicondyle tendinopathy
4. Lateral epicondyle tendinopathy - CORRECT ANSWER 4
A child who has athetoid cerebral palsy is MOST likely to exhibit which of the
following characteristics?
1. Sustained limb posturing
2. Low frequency tremor
3. Rapid, jerky motions
4. Mixed muscle tone - CORRECT ANSWER 4
