Certified Hand Therapist Exam
Question 1. Which bone forms the posterior part of the shoulder girdle?
A) Clavicle
B) Scapula
C) Humerus
D) Sternum
Answer: B
Explanation: The scapula (shoulder blade) forms the posterior part of the
shoulder girdle, providing attachment sites for muscles and articulating with the
humerus and clavicle.
Question 2. Which nerve is primarily responsible for sensory innervation of the
dorsal thumb and index finger?
A) Ulnar nerve
B) Median nerve
C) Radial nerve
D) Musculocutaneous nerve
Answer: B
Explanation: The median nerve supplies sensation to the palmar aspect of the
thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger, including dorsal aspects
of the thumb and index finger.
Question 3. Which ligament is most commonly injured in a "Gamekeeper’s
thumb" injury?
, Certified Hand Therapist Exam
A) Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb
B) Radial collateral ligament of the thumb
C) Palmar plate of the MCP joint
D) Volar plate of the DIP joint
Answer: A
Explanation: "Gamekeeper’s thumb" involves rupture or sprain of the ulnar
collateral ligament of the MCP joint of the thumb, often due to hyperabduction
stress.
Question 4. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the three-point
pressure system in splint design?
A) To provide uniform pressure across all tissue structures
B) To stabilize a joint by applying pressure at strategic points to correct deformity
or immobilize
C) To reduce skin irritation by dispersing pressure evenly
D) To facilitate movement during dynamic splinting
Answer: B
Explanation: The three-point pressure system applies pressure at specific points
to stabilize or correct deformities by counteracting forces around a joint.
Question 5. In the biomechanics of the hand, which structure primarily
contributes to force transmission during power grip?
A) Palmar aponeurosis
, Certified Hand Therapist Exam
B) Lumbrical muscles
C) Transverse carpal ligament
D) Flexor retinaculum
Answer: A
Explanation: The palmar aponeurosis acts as a fibrous sheet transmitting force
during power grip, providing stability and distributing load across the palm.
Question 6. During a patient history, which component is most important for
understanding the functional limitations caused by a hand injury?
A) Past medical history
B) Occupational history
C) Patient’s goals and expectations
D) Surgical history
Answer: C
Explanation: The patient’s goals and expectations directly inform the functional
limitations and help tailor treatment to improve daily activity performance.
Question 7. Which muscle is primarily responsible for wrist extension?
A) Flexor carpi radialis
B) Extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis
C) Flexor carpi ulnaris
D) Palmaris longus
, Certified Hand Therapist Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: The extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis muscles extend and
abduct the wrist, acting as prime wrist extensors.
Question 8. Which special test is used to identify median nerve compression at
the carpal tunnel?
A) Froment’s sign
B) Tinel’s sign at the wrist
C) Phalen’s test
D) Finkelstein’s test
Answer: C
Explanation: Phalen’s test involves wrist flexion to elicit symptoms of median
nerve compression in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Question 9. Which type of edema is characterized by pitting when pressure is
applied?
A) Non-pitting edema
B) Pitting edema
C) Lymphedema
D) Hematoma
Answer: B
Explanation: Pitting edema leaves an indentation or pit after pressure is applied,
indicating fluid accumulation in the interstitial space.
Question 1. Which bone forms the posterior part of the shoulder girdle?
A) Clavicle
B) Scapula
C) Humerus
D) Sternum
Answer: B
Explanation: The scapula (shoulder blade) forms the posterior part of the
shoulder girdle, providing attachment sites for muscles and articulating with the
humerus and clavicle.
Question 2. Which nerve is primarily responsible for sensory innervation of the
dorsal thumb and index finger?
A) Ulnar nerve
B) Median nerve
C) Radial nerve
D) Musculocutaneous nerve
Answer: B
Explanation: The median nerve supplies sensation to the palmar aspect of the
thumb, index, middle, and lateral half of the ring finger, including dorsal aspects
of the thumb and index finger.
Question 3. Which ligament is most commonly injured in a "Gamekeeper’s
thumb" injury?
, Certified Hand Therapist Exam
A) Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb
B) Radial collateral ligament of the thumb
C) Palmar plate of the MCP joint
D) Volar plate of the DIP joint
Answer: A
Explanation: "Gamekeeper’s thumb" involves rupture or sprain of the ulnar
collateral ligament of the MCP joint of the thumb, often due to hyperabduction
stress.
Question 4. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the three-point
pressure system in splint design?
A) To provide uniform pressure across all tissue structures
B) To stabilize a joint by applying pressure at strategic points to correct deformity
or immobilize
C) To reduce skin irritation by dispersing pressure evenly
D) To facilitate movement during dynamic splinting
Answer: B
Explanation: The three-point pressure system applies pressure at specific points
to stabilize or correct deformities by counteracting forces around a joint.
Question 5. In the biomechanics of the hand, which structure primarily
contributes to force transmission during power grip?
A) Palmar aponeurosis
, Certified Hand Therapist Exam
B) Lumbrical muscles
C) Transverse carpal ligament
D) Flexor retinaculum
Answer: A
Explanation: The palmar aponeurosis acts as a fibrous sheet transmitting force
during power grip, providing stability and distributing load across the palm.
Question 6. During a patient history, which component is most important for
understanding the functional limitations caused by a hand injury?
A) Past medical history
B) Occupational history
C) Patient’s goals and expectations
D) Surgical history
Answer: C
Explanation: The patient’s goals and expectations directly inform the functional
limitations and help tailor treatment to improve daily activity performance.
Question 7. Which muscle is primarily responsible for wrist extension?
A) Flexor carpi radialis
B) Extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis
C) Flexor carpi ulnaris
D) Palmaris longus
, Certified Hand Therapist Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: The extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis muscles extend and
abduct the wrist, acting as prime wrist extensors.
Question 8. Which special test is used to identify median nerve compression at
the carpal tunnel?
A) Froment’s sign
B) Tinel’s sign at the wrist
C) Phalen’s test
D) Finkelstein’s test
Answer: C
Explanation: Phalen’s test involves wrist flexion to elicit symptoms of median
nerve compression in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Question 9. Which type of edema is characterized by pitting when pressure is
applied?
A) Non-pitting edema
B) Pitting edema
C) Lymphedema
D) Hematoma
Answer: B
Explanation: Pitting edema leaves an indentation or pit after pressure is applied,
indicating fluid accumulation in the interstitial space.
