Meyer 1

Question 1

A 33-year-old female is referred to the clinic by a local dentist with a diagnosis of TMJ disorder. The order is for evaluation and treatment. The dentist requests that after treatment that you call his office to discuss the patient’s response to treatment. During the treatment, you are monitoring the patient’s ability to open and close her jaw. Which muscle is responsible for opening the jaw?

A. Pterygoideus medialis muscle
B. Pterygoideus lateralis muscle
C. Temporoparietalis muscle
D. Masseter muscle

Answer 1

B. Pterygoideus lateralis muscle

Question 2

A patient is referred to physical therapy status post fracture to the left wrist joint. The physician has ordered mobilization to the joint to assist with increasing movement. In order to perform mobilization, it is necessary to know what type of joint you will be treating. Which of the following best describe the radical carpal articulation of the wrist joint?

A. Condyloid joint
B. Hinge joint
C. Pivot joint
D. Saddle joint

Answer 2

A. Condyloid joint

Question 3

A patient reports to a physical therapy with a diagnosis of a fracture to the right humerus. He informs you that the fracture occurred at the midshaft of the humerus as a result of falling down a flight of stairs. Given this information, which of the following nerves would most likely be damaged secondary to this injury.

A. Median nerve
B. Subscapular nerve
C. Deltoid
D. Radial nerve

Answer 3

D. Radial nerve

Question 4

A 22-year-old male was involved in an automobile accident in which he was a passenger pulled out of a burning car. As a result, the patient suffered a brachial plexus injury to the terminal branches of the lateral cord. Which of the following muscle would you not expect this patient to be having a problem with?

A. Biceps
B. Coracobrachialis
C. Deltoid
D. Pectoralis major

Answer 4

C. Deltoid

Question 5

You are studying anatomy of the knee in anatomy and physiology class. In regard to the knee joint, which one of the following statement is true?

A. The lateral meniscus is larger than the medial meniscus and is shape like letter “C”
B. The lateral collateral ligament of the knee is attached to the meniscus
C. The medial meniscus is the smaller of the menisci and is shaped like the letter “O”
D. The posterior cruciate ligament has a distal attachment from the posterior intercondylar of the tibia

Answer 5

D. The posterior cruciate ligament has a distal attachment from the posterior intercondylar of the tibia

Question 6

You receive an order for impatient physical therapy for range of motion and strengthening upper extremities and the left lower extremity. Upon arriving at patient bedside, you notice that the patient has the right lower extremity in balance skeletal traction. Which of the following areas has this patient most likely fractured?

A. Patella
B. Femur
C. Tibia
D. Lateral malleolus

Answer 6

B. Femur

Question 7

You are treating an 18-year-old male patient for rotator cuff tendonitis. The physician suspects the patient actually has a dislocated shoulder. Which of the following would you not expect to find when treating the patient for shoulder dislocation?

A. The head of the humerus can be easily palpated
B. There is localized pain in the shoulder
C. There is crepitus in the joint
D. The patient is holding the shoulder in a flexed position

Answer 7

C. There is crepitus in the joint

Question 8

A patient has been referred to your clinic after being evaluated at an arthritis spine center. The patient has been diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis rather than osteoarthritis. Which of the following would you expect to observe in a rheumatoid arthritic patient?

A. Involvement of the proximal interphalangeal joints
B. Chronic inflammation
C. Involvement of the distal interphalangeal joints
D. Involvement of the weightbearing joints

Answer 8

A. Involvement of the proximal interphalangeal joints

Question 9

A 28-year-old male patient is sent to the clinic with low back pain. You perform modalities to reduce inflammation and pain. The physician suggests that you include Williams’ exercise to strengthen the patient secondary to poor posture. Upon postural evaluation, you notice an anterior tilt of the pelvis. Which of the following muscle would you be strengthening with Williams’ exercise?

A. Abdominal and gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Gluteus medius and minimus
D. Erector spinae

Answer 9

A. Abdominal and gluteus maximus

Question 10

A patient is sent to physical therapy with orders for mobilization to the shoulder. More specifically, the physician calls and notifies you that he wants inferior glide performed to the humeral head. Which of the following positions should the shoulder be placed in to perform this?
A. Abduction to 5 degrees
B. Abduction to 10 degrees
C. Abduction to 20 degrees
D. Abduction to 30 degrees

Answer 10

D. Abduction to 30 degrees

Question 11

A patient comes to the clinic suffering from second-degree burns. The injury occurred approximately 1 day ago and the patient is in the initial stage of wound repair. Wound healing typically occurs in four stages. Of the following stages, which is the initial stage?

A. Differentiation
B. Migration
C. Mobilization
D. Proliferation

Answer 11

C. Mobilization

Question 12

A patient is sent to physical therapy to be set up on an exercise program to assist in weight loss. The patient has knee problems, which he feels, are due to his overweight status. Which of the following exercise program would best help this patient lose weight?

A. Exercise of short duration and high intensity
B. Exercise of low intensity and long duration
C. Prolonged and strenuous exercise
D. Intermittently strenuous exercise

Answer 12

B. Exercise of low intensity and long duration

Question 13

Your patient is a 23-year-old male who has been on bed rest for 20 days as a result of an acute infection with severe complications. You are sent to start performing rehabilitation to assist this patient in recovery. Which of the following would not be a physiological effect of 20 days of bed rest for this patient?

A. The recovery period would take almost as long as exercise period
B. The patient would suffer considerable loss of bone and mineral content
C. There would be a small decrease in the maximum of oxygen consumption capacity
D. The patient would experience loss of stamina and fatigue

Answer 13

C. There would be a small decrease in the maximum of oxygen consumption capacity

Question 14

You are teaching an OB/GYN lecture to a group of senior physical therapist students. You have set up a sample syllabus of how the course will proceed. You have also included unit objectives for the lecture and lab practical. Which of the following would be considered a unit objective?

A. The introduction, which explains the role of the physical therapist in OB/ GYN care
B. Demonstrating the three principles of body mechanics
C. Explaining the anatomy and physiology during pregnancy
D. Theories on labor and delivery

Answer 14

B. Demonstrating the three principles of body mechanics

Question 15

A 5-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with severe burns on his legs, head, and lower abdomen, and minor burns on other surfaces. The physical therapist, using the Rule of Nines to estimate the burned area on the body, would allocate a larger percentage of total surface area for this child as compared to a child over age 12 if the burns were on what part of the child’s body?

A. Head and neck
B. Lower extremities
C. Upper extremities
D. Posterior and anterior chest

Answer 15

A. Head and neck

Question 16

A patient is seen in physical therapy for a disturbance in his static equilibrium. When testing the patient, you have him stand perfectly still and instruct him to close his eyes. Upon doing this, the patient wavers from side to side and starts to fall, but you catch him and help him sit back down on the mat. Which of the following test has most likely been performed on this patient?

A. Labyrinthine righting reflex
B. Romberg sign
C. Babinski sign
D. Chronic labyrinthine test

Answer 16

B. Romberg sign

Question 17

You are working with a physical therapy patient who exhibits extreme defense mechanisms. In reading the patient’s medical chart you see that there was psychiatric consultation that showed the patient was experiencing symptoms of paranoia. Which of the following would most likely be the defense mechanism in a paranoid patient?

A. Progression projection
B. Regression
C. Rationalization
D. Anger

Answer 17

A. Progression projection

Question 18

The process of aging involves the neurological system. Which of the following is not a process of aging?

A. Toxification of the meninges
B. 20 % reduction of blood flow
C. Increase in ventricular size
D. Reduction of nerve conduction velocity

Answer 18

D. Reduction of nerve conduction velocity

Question 19

A physical therapist works part- time at a treatment facility, as well as being a self- employed contractor to several group homes. Is it the responsibility of the physical therapist to obtain individual malpractice and liability insurance for the contracted work?

A. Yes, it is the responsibility of the physical therapist working as an independent contractor to carry individual liability coverage
B. No, liability coverage from the physical therapist’s primary work setting provide comprehensive coverage
C. No, it is the responsibility of the group homes to carry liability insurance for their contracted service provider
D. Yes, liability coverage from the inpatient setting is nullified if the Physical therapist takes on private client

Answer 19

A. Yes, it is the responsibility of the physical therapist working as an independent contractor to carry individual liability coverage

Question 20

You are developing a marketing brochure for private practice that will be handed out to physicians at an open house. Which of the following would be the most important aspect to include on the marketing brochure for physician referral?
A. Hours of the clinic
B. List of the equipment in the clinic
C. Insurance companies that participate and are accepted at the clinic
D. The type of service offered and disorders treated

Answer 20

D. The type of service offered and disorders treated

Question 21

You are treating an individual with a prosthetic. In observing the patient’s gait, you notice that the socket has a poor fit and appears to have a weak suspension system, and the knee friction is too soft. Which of the following will be the most likely gait deviation that you would observe?

A. Lateral whip
B. Rotation of the foot at the heel strike
C. Instability of the knee
D. Pistoning of the socket

Answer 21

D. Pistoning of the socket

Question 22

A patient is referred to physical therapy status post below – elbow amputation. The patient has a very short below – elbow amputation and you need to teach control of her prosthesis. Which of the following motions would you utilize to teach the patient to control her prosthesis?

A. Shoulder flexion
B. Scapular protraction
C. Shoulder extension
D. Scapular retraction

Answer 22

A. Shoulder flexion

Question 23

You are a senior physical therapist student completing your research for your theory and procedure class. You have performed a double blind study on the effects of iontophoresis on acute tennis elbow. You have measured the outcome using a pain scale of 0 to 10. The pain scale is measurable characteristic that can be manipulated in the experiment. Of the terms listed below, which best describes the measurable characteristic that can be manipulated in an experiment?

A. Data
B. Variable
C. Independent
D. Dependent

Answer 23

B. Variable

Question 24

You are treating a pulmonary patient bedside for passive range of motion. There is no edema noted in this patient’s lower extremities. However, the patient is developing an acute pulmonary edema. Given this information, which of the following types of heart diseases would this most likely indicate?

A. Left atrial
B. Left ventricular
C. Right atrial
D. Right ventricular

Answer 24

B. Left ventricular

Question 25

A 23-year-old female is referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of a lesion in the upper trapezius. The physician has referred the patient for evaluation and treatment as appropriate. As a physical therapist, which result would you expect to see if an individual had a lesion in the upper trapezius?

A. Shoulder abduction would be weak
B. There would be no rotation of the upper scapula
C. The scapular retraction would be weak
D. The scapula would be rotated downward, which may result in subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint

Answer 25

D. The scapula would be rotated downward, which may result in subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint

Question 26

A patient is referred to physical therapy secondary to pain in the right elbow. The physician notes upon x-rays that it appears there is a tear in the annular ligament. Which of the following would you expect as a result of a tear in the annular ligament?

A. Ulnar nerve entrapment
B. Valgus stress on the lateral collateral ligament
C. Dislocation of the head of the radius
D. A tear in the biceps muscle

Answer 26

C. Dislocation of the head of the radius

Question 27

You are performing light touch to determine the sensory level of a spinal cord injury patient. When you moved the brush along the patient’s chest in a vertical manner, the patient states that he does not feel any stimulus as the brush reaches the level of the umbilicus. Which of the following would be the best estimate of the level of lesion for this patient?

A. T2
B. T4
C. T10
D. T12

Answer 27

C. T10

Question 28

You are a physical therapist giving instruction on the skin care to a 65 years old female who is below knee amputee. Upon observation you notice that the patient’s opposite lower extremity toes are dark and discolored with mild atrophic changes in the nails. You also note that there is mild swelling of the foot and ankle. Which of the following most likely suspect?

A. The presence of thrombophlebitis
B. Chronic venous insufficiency
C. The patient will loss her remaining extremity within a few months
D. Lymphedema

Answer 28

B. Chronic venous insufficiency

Question 29

You are working with a patient in the pulmonary wing of the hospital. You are observing the patient bedside, noting a particular pattern of breathing. The patient appears to be gasping for breath, on occasion her shoulder and thorax rise on inspiration, and her abdominal wall is retracted. Which of the following would you most likely suspect given this patient’s pattern of breathing?

A. She suffers from barrel chest
B. She is paradoxical breather
C. She is an upper chest breather
D. She has had a lung removed

Answer 29

C. She is an upper chest breather

Question 30

You are performing a leg length evaluation on a 16-year-old male. In order to properly measure the leg length, it is important to know the landmarks used to compare the actual leg lengths of both lower extremities of this individual. Which of the following landmarks would you be using for the measurement?

A. Anterior inferior iliac spine to the lateral malleolus
B. Anterior inferior iliac spine to the medial malleolus
C. Anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus
D. Posterior superior iliac spine to the lateral malleolus

Answer 30

C. Anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus

Question 31

Your patient is a 34-year-old female with calcified bursitis of the shoulder. You are to perform an ultrasound to the patient’s shoulder to treat the calcified bursitis. Which of the following would be the proper or most beneficial setting for the ultrasound frequency and dosage?

A. 1 MHz and .5 W/cm
B. 1 MHz and 1.5 W/cm
C. 3 MHz and .5 W/cm
D. 3 MHz and 1.5 W/cm

Answer 31

B. 1 MHz and 1.5 W/cm

Question 32

You are working on a team with a nurse in a cardiac rehabilitation program. The patient currently is an inpatient and is to be discharged from stage-one cardiac rehabilitation to a stage two program. Which of the following would not be a goal to expect this patient to accomplish at the end of the stage one cardiac rehabilitation?

A. Independent in activities of daily living
B. Independent in patient diet
C. Increased maximal oxygen consumption
D. Independent in patient and family education regarding risk factors

Answer 32

C. Increased maximal oxygen consumption

Question 33

While the neurointensive care unit, you are asked to treat a patient who was involved in a car accident. He is an 18-year-old male comatose. The following posture is observed when you turn the light on: lower extremities are plantar flexed and fully extended, upper extremity is positioned with shoulder adducted, elbow extended, forearm pronated, and wrist flexed. Which best describes the posture you observe?

A. Decerebrate rigidity
B. Decorticate rigidity
C. Decerebrate spasticity
D. Decorticate spasticity

Answer 33

A. Decerebrate rigidity

Question 34

When palpating the spine of the scapula you noticed a large muscle knot in your patient. For a point of reference in your progress notes, you record that the patient has muscle spasm at the spine of the scapula. What vertebral level you could say corresponds with the spine of the scapula to further clarify the notes?

A. T5
B. T3
C. T7
D. T12

Answer 34

B. T3

Question 35

You are performing a physical therapy in a nursing home where orthostatic hypotension occasionally occurs in some of the elderly patients. Which of the following would no be true concerning orthostatic hypotension?

A. It can occur as a result of patient assuming an upright position
B. It is common after long period of bedrest
C. It is common in elderly patients
D. It lasts for only 24 hours

Answer 35

D. It lasts for only 24 hours

Question 36

You have evaluated a patient’s TMJ inability to open and close the jaw. You measure the patient’s ability to open the jaw after 2 weeks of treatment of pain and inflammation. The patient now closes the jaw. Which muscle is responsible for the closing of the jaw?

A. Masseter
B. Pterygoideus lateralis
C. Pterygoideus medialis
D. Zygomaticus

Answer 36

A. Masseter

Question 37

A 21-year-old male comes to the clinic with a prescription for physical therapy. The diagnosis is brachial plexus injury involving the left shoulder upper extremity. The patient was injured in an automobile accident when a drunk driver hit his car, driving him into a telephone pole. The patient will need extensive rehabilitation for the brachial plexus injury. Particularly note was that the lateral cord of the brachial plexus was injured. Which nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus?

A. Median
B. Ulnar
C. Axillary
D. Musculocutaneous

Answer 37

D. Musculocutaneous

Question 38

Your patient is a 36-years-old factory worker who comes to physical therapy secondary to a crushing injury of the right from a molding press. The patient reports to a physical therapy for evaluation and treatment. You are to begin the treatment to reduce edema and assist in alleviating pain while regaining range of motion. You are palpating the distal row of the carpal bone to determine pain and edema. Which of the following would you not be palpating in the distal row of the carpal bone?
A. Trapezoid
B. Lunate
C. Capitate
D. Hamate

Answer 38

B. Lunate

Question 39

You are treating a patient in a nursing home with a stage two ulcer of the greater trochanter. The patient’s condition is deteriorating over a period of months with an increase of infection in the area. Which of the following is the correct description of the body’s first defense against bacterial infection?

A. Phagocytes
B. Macrophages
C. Lymphocytes
D. Neutrophils

Answer 39

D. Neutrophils

Question 40

A patient is referred to a physical therapy with ruptured Achilles tendon. The patient reports that he was mowing the lawn and was going down to a steep incline when he felt a sharp, sudden pain in the left heel region. Which of the following would be the proper location for the Achilles tendon insertion?

A. Cuboid
B. Calcaneus
C. Talus
D. First metatarsal

Answer 40

B. Calcaneus

Question 41

You are treating a patient with medial epicondylitis of the elbow. The patient informs you that he is an avid golfer and participated in a weekend tournament at the local golf club. He comes to the clinic complaining of pain, inflammation, and tendonitis in the medial epicondyle region of the elbow. You are performing a musculoskeletal assessment on the patient, as well as evaluating for possible nerve injury. You are palpating behind the medial epicondyle region of the elbow for pain and tenderness. Of the following, which is the nerve that lies behind the medial epicondyle of the elbow?

A. Ulnar
B. Median
C. Radial
D. Brachial

Answer 41

A. Ulnar

Question 42

You are observing the posture of a patient walking in and out of the parallel bars. You notice that the patient maintains an elevated pelvis on the right as compared to the left side. Of the following, which muscle elevates the pelvis?

A. Quadratus lumborum
B. Pectineus
C. Gemellus inferior
D. Gemellus superior

Answer 42

A. Quadratus lumborum

Question 43

You are now studying the symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR). The STNR integration is the brainstem. The physical therapist assistant places the patient head in the extended position. Which of the following would be the correct response to the stimulus?

A. Upper extremity flexion and lower extremity extension
B. Upper extremity extension and lower extremity flexion
C. Extension of Upper/lower extremities
D. Flexion of both Upper /lower extremities

Answer 43

B. Upper extremity extension and lower extremity flexion

Question 44

You have pediatric patient referred to physical therapy. The patient is 5 months old. You want to test several reflexes of this patient. The stimulus you utilize for the first reflex is a sudden movement to cause a startle reaction in the patient. Which of the following are you most likely performing?

A. Grasp reflex
B. Protective extension reaction
C. Protective reaction
D. Moro’s Reflex

Answer 44

D. Moro’s Reflex

Question 45

You have a patient in physical therapy who has been a secretary for 20 years. The patient reports pain in the midback as a result of walking over a computer for marathon typing session. Curvature of the spine can best be described as the following: it is in the anterior posterior direction in which the convexity is in the posterior direction. Which of the following would be the correct terminology for this curvature of the spine?

A. Scoliosis
B. Sway back
C. Flat back
D. Kyphosis

Answer 45

D. Kyphosis

Question 46

You are observing a patient with tarsal tunnel syndrome from approximately 50 feet away in the clinic. You observe the patient from the anterior and posterior views. In your notes you record that the patient, upon ambulation demonstrate calcaneus valgus. Which of the following would be the correct description of calcaneus valgus?

A. Excessive plantarflexion of the foot
B. Excessive dorsiflexion of the foot
C. Excessive inversion of the foot
D. Excessive eversion of the foot

Answer 46

D. Excessive eversion of the foot

Question 47

A patient is referred to physical therapy secondary to neck pain. Upon observation, you noticed that the patient has deformity of the neck that causes rotation and tilting of the head in the opposite direction. When writing the SOAP notes which of the following be the best term to utilize in describing this patient’s condition.

A. Disc calcification
B. Disc herniation
C. Cervical strain
D. Torticollis

Answer 47

D. Torticollis

Question 48

You are to perform an initial evaluation to a patient 2 weeks status post rotator cuff tendon repair. The orders are to begin general strengthening of the rotator cuff muscle with strengthening limited to shoulder range of motion 90 degrees or lower. Which of the following muscles would not be emphasized in this patient’s treatment program?

A. Infraspinatus
B. Teres major
C. Supraspinatus
D. Subscapularis

Answer 48

B. Teres major

Question 49

A patient is referred to a physical therapy with a diagnosis of Erb Duchenne palsy/paralysis. The physician recommends a treatment program that will emphasize maintaining the range of motion and preventing the contractures. Erb Duchenne paralysis is a result of damage to which of the following nerve roots?

A. C4, C5
B. C5, C6
C. C7, C8
D. T1, T2

Answer 49

B. C5, C6

Question 50

A patient is referred to a physical therapy with a burn on the elbow as a result of gasoline flashback from a fire. The patient is currently in moderate pain and requires a debridement and range of motion. Following treatment of whirlpool debridement and range of motion. Which of the following would be the correct position in which to place the elbow?

A. Extension, supination
B. Flexion, pronation
C. Extension, pronation
D. Flexion

Answer 50

A. Extension, supination

Question 51

The patient suggests that you start massage of the patient with back pain to reduce muscle spasm and assist in alleviating pain. The physician recommends that the massage you utilize consist of a series of brisk blows in the alternating fashion. Of the following massages, which has the physician recommended?

A. Tapotement massage
B. Friction massage
C. Kneading massage
D. Vibration

Answer 51

A. Tapotement massage

Question 52

You are working in a burn unit of an acute care hospital. A patient is referred to physical therapy with a burn located in the hip region. The physician performs the initial debridement and instructs you to position the hip so that the patient will not develop a contracture. Which of the following would be the correct positioning for this patient?

A. Flexion
B. Abduction
C. Flexion and adduction
D. Extension and abduction

Answer 52

D. Extension and abduction

Question 53

Your last patient in the burn unit has an anterior neck burn. This patient has already received treatment to emphasize decreasing chances of flexion and healing in the area. It is now your responsibility to place this patient in a position to minimize contractures. Which of the following would be the correct positioning?

A. Flexion
B. Rotation
C. Extension
D. Hyperextension

Answer 53

D. Hyperextension

Question 54

While working in the burn unit you decide to do study of how patients respond to correct positioning as a result of a burn and how that directly relates to their decreased ability to develop a contracture. You perform a cross-sectional research study?

A. Interviewing the same people through the same time period
B. Interviewing different people through their life span
C. Interviewing the same people through their life span
D. Interviewing different people through the same time period

Answer 54

D. Interviewing different people through the same time period

Question 55

A patient is referred to a physical therapy for range of motion and strengthening. The patient presents the following history: he reports that he has a collage vascular disorder affecting the connective tissue. The patient report that he is currently taking medication and the doctor has recommended physical therapy for joint conservation technique and maintaining range of motion. The patient present the classic “butterfly rash” Which of the following diseases are you most likely dealing with?

A. Scleroderma
B. Dermatomyositis
C. Lupus Erythematosus
D. Polynodosa

Answer 55

C. Lupus Erythematosus

Question 56

You are working with a cerebral palsy child. You notice that the child has great difficulty reaching for an object with one hand. The child prefers to reach for an object with both hands. What age would be considered normal for a child to be able to reach for an object with one hand?

A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 1 year
D. 9 months

Answer 56

B. 6 months

Question 57

You are maintaining SOAP notes on a patient for physical therapy. You are responsible for the initial evaluation and for daily notes on the patient’s condition. Which of the following would be the primary reason for maintaining SOAP notes on patient?

A. Legal purposes
B. Educational purposes
C. Improvement of patient care
D. Third party payers

Answer 57

C. Improvement of patient care

Question 58

The hospital administrator suggested that as a physical therapist, you should be involve in a written program that assures proper use of the facility’s fund and personnel. The administrator will train you in this process and suggest that you assist in monitoring this written report. In which of the following are you most likely participating?

A. Peer review
B. Program evaluation
C. Quality assurance
D. Utilization Review

Answer 58

D. Utilization Review

Question 59

A patient is referred to a physical therapy. Prior to receiving services, the patient’s insurance is verified. The type of insurance that this patient has limits the total number of treatments or visit for the problem to 12. The patient also pays a small fixed fee for each visit, 5.00 dollars per visit. Your facility has signed up to participate with his patient insurance; therefore, you accept him for treatment. Which of the following does this patient most likely have?

A. HMO
B. Medicaid
C. Medicare
D. Workman’s compensation

Answer 59

A. HMO

Question 60

A patient is required to physical therapy for a post-caesarian exercise program. The physician informs you that the patient is in day 3-post cesarean and needs to be started on an exercise program. Which of the following exercises would not be appropriate?

A. Pelvic floor exercise
B. Diaphragmatic breathing
C. Leg slides
D. Leg lifts

Answer 60

D. Leg lifts

Question 61

The physicians instruct you to set a patient up on a particular exercise program, keeping in mind the metabolic equivalent (MET). This is a unit for the number of millimeters of oxygen consumed per gram of body weight. The physician suggests that you work the patient at 2 METs. Two METs means that the work requires twice the amount of oxygen. Which of the following would you have the patient performing for two METs?

A. Lifting light weight at 2 to 3 pounds
B. Walking 3.5 mph
C. Cycling 8 mph
D. Walking 4mph

Answer 61

A. Lifting light weight at 2 to 3 pounds

Question 62

A patient comes to the clinic secondary to a light ankle sprain. The patient reports that he was playing basketball when his foot landed on another player’s foot, causing a severe twisting injury. The patient has been diagnosed with an inversion sprain. Which of the following ligaments would least likely need to be rehabilitated with this patient?

A. Anterior talofibular ligament
B. Calcaneofibular ligament
C. Deltoid ligament
D. Posterior talofibular ligament

Answer 62

C. Deltoid ligament

Question 63

You are training a patient who twisted her left ankle while participating in a tennis competition over the weekend. There is effusion of the ankle joint with increased temperature. The patient injured the ankle as a result of an eversion sprain. Which of the following ligaments would be emphasized in this patient’s treatment program?

A. Deltoid ligament
B. Anterior talofibular ligament
C. Calcaneofibular ligament
D. Posterior talofibular ligament

Answer 63

A. Deltoid ligament

Question 64

A patient comes to your clinic with a complaint of severe knee pain. Upon evaluation, You observe that the knee joint is extremely swollen and warm. Upon testing, the tibia can be displaced posteriorly on the femur. There appears to be considerable pain and instability of the knee joint during evaluation. Which of the following structures is most likely involved?

A. Anterior cruciate ligament
B. Posterior cruciate ligament
C. Medial meniscus
D. Lateral meniscus

Answer 64

B. Posterior cruciate ligament

Question 65

A patient is evaluated in a nursing home for an ulcer in the greater trochanter. The wound destruction is described in the following way: it involves full thickness of the dermis and undermining of the deeper tissues, and the muscle is slightly involved. There is no bone destruction. Given this information, which of the following stages would best describe this ulcer?

A. Stage one
B. Stage two
C. Stage three
D. Stage four

Answer 65

C. Stage three

Question 66

A patient reports to physical therapy for evaluation of his hand. Upon evaluation of the patient’s right hand, the therapist notices atrophy involving the muscles of the thenar eminence. Which of the following would you most likely suspect to be injured?

A. Median nerve
B. Axillary nerve
C. Ulnar nerve
D. Radial nerve

Answer 66

A. Median nerve

Question 67

You have a patient who becomes withdrawn. The patient occasionally shifts from withdrawal into obscene language, demonstrates very bizarre behavior, and seems to have problems cooperating with physical therapy. Based on these symptoms, which of the following most likely describes the condition of this patient?

A. Paranoia
B. Depression
C. Schizophrenia
D. Psychopathy

Answer 67

C. Schizophrenia

Question 68

A 20-year-old patient hospitalized with a diagnosis of schizophrenia begins to hear voices and walks to the staircase to peer over. The patient says, “I want to kill the voices.” The most appropriate response from would be to:

A. Ask the patient to identify the voices
B. Talk to the patient while moving him or her from the staircase
C. Discuss the voices and why the patient wants to kill them
D. Tell the patient that the voices are not really there

Answer 68

B. Talk to the patient while moving him or her from the staircase

Question 69

A patient is sent to physical therapy with an order for training with a cane. The patient has a sprained ankle and has progressed from crutch ambulation to requiring a cane along with an air cast. Which of the following would be proper utilization of a cane for this patient?

A. Use it on the same side as the ankle injury
B. Use it on the opposite side of the ankle injury
C. Use it during the stance phase
D. Use it during the push-off phase

Answer 69

B. Use it on the opposite side of the ankle injury

Question 70

In a research project during your senior year at school, each student is assigned a different method of research on what percentage of time the physical therapist in private practice spends on clinical practice versus administration. You perform your research by sending out standardized forms to 100 physical therapists in private practice your state. You request that the therapists fill out and answer all the appropriate questions and return the forms to you to correlate the answers and report on them. Which of the following best defines the method of research that you are utilizing?

A. Cross-sectional
B. Developmental
C. Questionnaire
D. Survey

Answer 70

C. Questionnaire

Question 71

In studying an EKG wave of a patient, you notice an irregularity of the P wave. The P wave of the EKG will correspond to which of the following?

A. Atrial repolarization
B. Atrial depolarization
C. Mitral repolarization
D. Mitral depolarization

Answer 71

B. Atrial depolarization

Question 72

A patient is referred to physical therapy for gait evaluation with a prosthesis. Upon observing the patient, you notice that he is demonstrating a gait deviation of lateral trunk bending. Which of the following would be the most likely anatomical cause of lateral trunk bending?

A. The prosthesis is too short
B. The prosthesis is too long
C. Abductor muscles are weak
D. The prosthesis is in abduction

Answer 72

C. Abductor muscles are weak

Question 73

A patient is referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of frozen adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder. You perform physical therapy for 1 week and now you are going to remeasure joint range of motion. Which of the following would you expect the capsular pattern of restriction to be in the glenohumeral joint for this patient?

A. Internal rotation is limited more than external rotation
B. External rotation is limited more than internal rotation
C. Adduction is limited more that external rotation
D. Flexion is limited more than external rotation

Answer 73

B. External rotation is limited more than internal rotation

Question 74

You are observing a patient with a prosthesis who shows instability of the knee. Which of the following would most likely not be a possible prosthetic cause for instability of the knee?

A. The knee joint is too anterior
B. Plantar flexion resistance is too high
C. There is no limit on dorsiflexion
D. Plantar flexion resistance is too low

Answer 74

D. Plantar flexion resistance is too low

Question 75

Your patient is a 24-year-old female who comes to physical therapy complaining that she has been experiencing abnormal movement and pain since her fourth month of pregnancy. It is known that during pregnancy the hormone relaxin can lead to abnormal movements and pain for the patient. Which of the following would most likely be the location of pain in this patient?

A. Left hip joint
B. Bilateral hip joint
C. Lumbar sacral joint
D. Sacroiliac joint

Answer 75

D. Sacroiliac joint

Question 76

You are a physical therapist teamed up with a nurse conducting a cardiac rehabilitation session for 10 patients. The nurse receives a phone call and must leave the room to speak with the physician concerning one of the patient’s programs. Which of the following would be the most appropriate response?

A. Terminate the exercise session and send the patient’s back to their rooms
B. Temporarily terminate the exercise session while awaiting the nurse’s return
C. Continue the exercise program with less strenuous exercises
D. Continue the exercise program as previously outlined by you and the nurse

Answer 76

D. Continue the exercise program as previously outlined by you and the nurse

Question 77

You are treating a patient in the neurointensive care unit. The patient is unresponsive to stimuli and you determine that he is comatose. You observe the following posture at the patient’s bedside: supine, the lower extremities are plantar flexed and internally rotated, and the upper extremities are positioned in shoulder adduction, elbow flexion, and wrist flexion. Which of the following best describes the posture you observed in this patient?

A. Hemiplegia
B. Decerebrate rigidity
C. Decorticate rigidity
D. Spasticity extensor

Answer 77

C. Decorticate rigidity

Question 78

While on the cardiopulmonary floor, the physician asks you to consult on another case. You find a 36-year-old male whose breathing alternates between periods of deep breathing and apnea. Therefore, the pattern of breathing is hyperpnea and apnea, especially when sleeping. What is another term for this type of breathing or disorder of rate and rhythm?

A. Ataxic breathing
B. Biot’s breathing
C. Cheyne-Stokes respiration
D. Sighing respiration

Answer 78

C. Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Question 79

You are the director of the physical therapy department and will be conducting a job interview for an opening. Which of the following questions would not be appropriate to ask a candidate at a job interview?

A. Describe your past work experiences in the field of physical therapy
B. What is your marital status, and will children prevent you from working overtime?
C. Indicate the name of the university or college from which you graduated
D. List any continuing education courses that you have attended.

Answer 79

B. What is your marital status, and will children prevent you from working overtime?

Question 80

A patient enters the clinic after sustaining a whiplash injury in an automobile accident. While performing your evaluation, you observe active range of motion for the cervical spine. You ask the patient to perform cervical rotation to the opposite side. Which of the following groups would be responsible for performing cervical rotation to the opposite side?

A. Longus capitis, rectus capitis anterior, and posterior
B. Splenius cervicis, splenius capitis
C. Sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, upper trapezius
D. Sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, rectus capitis anterior

Answer 80

C. Sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, upper trapezius

Question 81

A patient is participating in a pulmonary evaluation in the respiratory therapy department. You are observing this evaluation as a part of you physical therapist student internship. How would you best describe the amount of air left over after maximum expiration?

A. Dead air space
B. Forced inspiratory volume
C. Expiratory reserve volume
D. Residual volume

Answer 81

D. Residual volume

Question 82

A 32-year-old female enters the emergency room with a knife injury to the spinal cord. The patient is referred to physical therapy for a comprehensive evaluation of the spinal cord injury. Medical history determines that the knife has caused a hemisection of the spinal cord. Of the following, which syndrome may be seen after a knife-type of injury to the spinal cord that results in hemisection?

A. Marfan’s syndrome
B. Amyotrophic lateral syndrome
C. Cerebellar syndrome
D. Brown-Sequard syndrome

Answer 82

D. Brown-Sequard syndrome

Question 83

A patient begins participation in the cardiac rehabilitation program under a physical therapist. You are carefully monitoring the patient’s response to exercise during the program. Which of the following would be a normal response to exercise?

A. Cardiac output/heart rate increases in a linear relation with increase in workload
B. Cardiac output/heart rate decreases in a linear relation with increase in workload
C. As cardiac output increases, the heart rate decreases
D. Heart rate increases as cardiac output decreases

Answer 83

A. Cardiac output/heart rate increases in a linear relation with increase in workload

Question 84

A 26-year-old marathon runner comes to you for additional training. His goal is to reduce his marathon running time by 5 minutes in the next Boston marathon. As part of his training, you are explaining the benefits that he will receive from aerobic exercise. Which of the following is not a benefit from aerobic exercise?

A. A decrease in serum lipid levels
B. An increase in HDL levels
C. An increase in aerobic capacity
D. A decrease in aerobic capacity

Answer 84

D. A decrease in aerobic capacity

Question 85

You are in neurology class studying abnormal and normal reflexes. You are specifically concerned with the abnormal reflex asymmetric tonic neck reflex, or ATNR. The integration level for this reflex is the brainstem. The stimulus would be for the therapist to turn the head to one side. Which of the following would be the correct response to the stimulus of turning the head to one side?

A. Upper extremity extension and lower extremity flexion
B. Upper extremity flexion and lower extremity extension
C. Withdrawal of lower extremity from the stimulus
D. Arm/leg extension on the side that the head is turned, flexion on opposite side

Answer 85

D. Arm/leg extension on the side that the head is turned, flexion on opposite side

Question 86

You are assisting in developing policy and procedure for the physical therapy department. You are responsible for setting up a written policy in regard to a nosocomial infection. Which of the following defines a nosocomial infection?

A. Acute inflammatory response
B. Allergic response to medications
C. Infection acquired in the hospital by the patient
D. Result of the body’s rejection of blood type

Answer 86

C. Infection acquired in the hospital by the patient

Question 87

You are testing for the tonic labyrinthine abnormal reflex. The integration level is the brainstem and there is no stimulus required. The response will depend on the positioning of the patient. You position the patient in prone when testing. Which of the following would the patient demonstrate?

A. Increased extensor tone
B. Increased flexor tone
C. Increased extensor tone in upper extremities and increased flexor tone in lower extremities
D. Increased flexor tone in upper extremities and increased extensor tone in the lower extremities

Answer 87

B. Increased flexor tone

Question 88

A patient is referred to physical therapy with a fracture to the left femur. The physician informs you that the patient has an angle of inclination below 110° in the upper femur. Which of the following would be a disorder of the upper femur in which the angle of inclination is below 110°?

A. Coxa valgus
B. Coxa varus
C. Transient synovitis
D. Osteitis pubis

Answer 88

B. Coxa varus

Question 89

A patient is referred to physical therapy. While you are recording her treatment, she talks to you about her condition. The patient reports that she is in a serious stage of her condition, as the disease has affected her organs. The patient reports that her condition originally started as thickening of the skin in the subcutaneous tissue, which then eventually affected the organs. The patient is currently in physical therapy for a home exercise program designed for range of motion and to prevent contractures as much as possible. Which of the following would most likely be the condition of this patient?

A. Dermatomyositis
B. Scleroderma
C. Fibroid necrosis
D. Granulomatosis

Answer 89

B. Scleroderma

Question 90

You are performing an evaluation of an inpatient that has congenital dysplasia of the right hip. The patient previously had limitations in specific range of motions as a result of congenital dysplasia. Which of the following would show the greatest limitation in movement for this patient?

A. Hip flexion
B. Hip adduction
C. Hip abduction
D. Hip rotation

Answer 90

C. Hip abduction

Question 91

You are testing the positive support reaction. The integration level is the brainstem. Which of the following would be the stimulus you would be using in testing the positive support reaction?

A. Bounce the patient several times on the soles of the feet but allow no weight bearing
B. Bounce the patient several times on the soles of the feet with weight bearing
C. Push the patient backward and forward in sitting
D. Push the patient side to side in sitting

Answer 91

B. Bounce the patient several times on the soles of the feet with weight bearing

Question 92

You are treating a patient who was hit in the left hip during football practice. The physician is concerned that the iliofemoral ligament of the hip has been damaged. Which of the following statements would not be true regarding the iliofemoral ligament?

A. This ligament prevents overextension, abduction, and lateral rotation of the hip
B. It is also called the Y-ligament of the hip
C. It attaches to the interior superior iliac spine
D. It is located anteriorly superior to the hip

Answer 92

C. It attaches to the interior superior iliac spine

Question 93

You are working in an outpatient physical therapy department and receive an out-of- state referral from a physician. The referral states “evaluate and treat appropriately.” Of the following, which is the appropriate way to treat a referral from an out-of-state physician?

A. Treat it like any other referral and proceed with the initial evaluation
B. Refer to your policy and procedure manual concerning out-of-state referrals
C. Call the medical board of the state the referral came from to check the physician’s license
D. Inform the patient that you cannot treat him or her with an out-of-state referral. He or she will have to make an appointment with a local physician.

Answer 93

B. Refer to your policy and procedure manual concerning out-of-state referrals

Question 94

You are evaluating a patient for an arterial occlusion in the brain and determining the neurological problems, as well as an appropriate treatment program. The patient has an infarction in the dominant left hemisphere, which produces aphasia. The patient demonstrates contralateral hemiplegia and loss of sensation. Which of the following arteries has most likely been occluded?

A. Middle cerebral
B. Cerebellar
C. Posterior cerebral
D. Vertebral artery

Answer 94

A. Middle cerebral

Question 95

You are evaluating a 36-year-old patient whose head was injured as a result of a motorcycle accident. The patient is being tested according to the Rancho Los Amigos Level of Cognitive Functioning. The patient is dependent upon external input and is able to follow directions. The patient is showing improvement in memory. Which of the following would you select as the most appropriate level of cognitive functioning?

A. Level 6
B. Level 7
C. Level 5
D. Level 4

Answer 95

A. Level 6

Question 96

You are performing a musculoskeletal evaluation on a male patient who attends the clinic with a diagnosis of a facet joint impingement. Upon examination, the patient has normal neurological findings. The patient’s past medical history reveals very little trauma. He had a sudden unguarded movement that resulted in pain. He reports that rest relieves pain and movement increases pain. Which of the following would be the first stage in implementing a suggested treatment program for this patient?

A. Back brace to provide rest
B. Active therapeutic exercises
C. Mobilization
D. Ice

Answer 96

C. Mobilization

Question 97

You are performing a musculoskeletal exam of a patient who reports to the clinic with back pain. The past medical history reveals a long-standing history of chronic pain and stiffness. Patient has had frequent episodes of impingement and inflammation. Neurological examination is normal. Upon palpation, you find thickened supraspinatus ligaments. A mobility exam reveals loss of active and passive movement. Based on the above examination, which of the following would most likely be the condition this patient is suffering?

A. Myositis
B. Facet joint impingement
C. Degenerative disc joint disease
D. Disc herniation

Answer 97

C. Degenerative disc joint disease

Question 98

You are a physical therapist in a private practice specializing in obstetrics and gynecological care for patients with back pain. The owner of the facility has requested that you instruct an educational class in the evening on prevention of low back pain during pregnancy. In giving the lecture to the class, which of the following is the first topic/area with which you should begin?

A. Anatomy
B. Labor and delivery
C. Objectives
D. Introduction to the role of physical therapist in OB/GYN care

Answer 98

D. Introduction to the role of physical therapist in OB/GYN care

Question 99

You are performing cardiac rehabilitation with an acute patient and he experiences severe heart failure. Which of the following symptoms will not be exhibited by this patient?

A. Decrease in normal cardiac output
B. Hypertrophy
C. Higher than normal cardiac output
D. High-end diastolic pressure

Answer 99

C. Higher than normal cardiac output

Question 100

A patient reports to the clinic experiencing an acute episode of back pain. Upon entering the clinic the patient’s knee buckles and he must be transported to the department via a wheelchair. The physician’s order states “evaluate and treat appropriately,” with no specific indication for the frequency of treatment. Which of the following would be the appropriate frequency of treatment for this particular patient?

A. Patient should be seen two times a day, daily at the outpatient facility
B. Patient should be seen three times a week
C. Patient should be seen daily Monday through Friday
D. Patient should be seen two times a week

Answer 100

C. Patient should be seen daily Monday through Friday

Question 101

A patient comes to the clinic for neck pain with other medical complications. She cannot remember the medical diagnosis the doctor told her yesterday at the clinic. She gives you the following description of her symptoms: intense vertigo, occasional unilateral deafness, buzzing or ringing in the ear. What is the medical name for this inner ear disease that affects balance?

A. Bulging disc C4, C5
B. Meniere’s disease
C. Otitis media, chronic
D. Otitis externa

Answer 101

B. Meniere’s disease

Question 102

A physician calls to tell you that he is going to be sending a patient over to physical therapy for relief of cervical pain and headaches. The physician warns you that this patient is often non-compliant with treatment. It will be very difficult to get her to come in regularly for physical therapy. He asks you to work with her and do the best you can to give her some relief from headaches. Which of the following treatment programs would be most appropriate for this patient?

A. Schedule the patient daily, hoping that she makes at least two to three visits a week for hot pack, ultrasound, and massage.
B. Schedule the patient for the initial evaluation, perform the treatment, and set her
up with a TENS unit at home.
C. Schedule the patient one to two times a week so that she will be able to keep at least a minimal number of visits.
D. Set the patient up on a home physical therapy program with a home physical therapist.

Answer 102

C. Schedule the patient one to two times a week so that she will be able to keep at least a minimal number of visits.

Question 103

A patient comes to the clinic for left elbow tendonitis. The treatment plan is friction massage, phonophoresis, and exercises followed by ice massage. Which of the physiological responses listed below generally occurs from cold treatments?

A. Increased respiratory rate, increased cardiac output
B. Increased stroke volume, increased tidal volume, increased intestinal blood flow to the organs
C. Decreased stroke volume, decreased intestinal blood flow to internal organs
D. Decreased respiratory rate, decreased tidal volume

Answer 103

B. Increased stroke volume, increased tidal volume, increased intestinal blood flow to the organs

Question 104

A patient comes to the clinic with a chief complaint of low back pain. You evaluate the patient and determine a treatment program of moist heat, ultrasound, and massage. Which of the following physiological responses generally occurs from heat treatments?

A. Vasoconstriction of skin, increased tidal volume, lower respiratory rate
B. Increased intestinal blood flow to internal organs, increased cardiac output
C. Increased cardiac output, increased basal metabolic rate
D. Increased cardiac output, decreased basal metabolic rate

Answer 104

C. Increased cardiac output, increased basal metabolic rate

Question 105

An 18-year-old female having her first child went into premature labor and delivered a baby girl. Between which weeks of pregnancy is labor defined as premature?

A. Between the 30th and 37th week
B. Between the 28th and 37th week
C. Between the 24th and 37th week
D. Between the 20th and 37th week

Answer 105

D. Between the 20th and 37th week

Question 106

A spinal cord injury patient is presented with the following symptoms: deficits are found in the more centrally located tract, upper extremities than peripherally located, lower extremities. It is noted in the chart that the spinal cord lesion is incomplete. Which type of injury listed below does this patient most likely have?

A. Anterior cord syndrome
B. Central cord syndrome
C. Brown-Sequard syndrome
D. Sacral sparing

Answer 106

B. Central cord syndrome

Question 107

You are treating a patient for psoriasis with ultraviolet lamps. You have performed a minimal erythemal dosage test for third-degree erythemal. This is five times the minimal erythemal dosage. How many times will the patient be treated per week?

A. Daily
B. Bi-daily
C. Every other day
D. Once weekly

Answer 107

D. Once weekly

Question 108

A 3-year-old female comes to the clinic with the following symptoms: neck deformity that causes rotation and tilting of the head. The mother reports that it is a result of a MVA 2 weeks ago. What treatment would you recommend to the mother for a home program to obtain maximal results?

A. No home program; treatment should only be done with a therapist
B. Ice packs and stretching
C. Electrical stimulation
D. Stretching exercises and proper positioning/posture

Answer 108

D. Stretching exercises and proper positioning/posture

Question 109

You are performing a postural evaluation from the posterior view. Specifically you are observing alignment for the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Which of the following are normal alignments?

A. Hip joint neutral, knee neutral, slight out-toeing of feet
B. Hip joint neutral, knee neutral, slight in toeing of feet
C. Hip joint slightly anterior, knee neutral, slight out-toeing of feet
D. Hip joint slightly posterior, knee neutral, slight out-toeing of feet

Answer 109

A. Hip joint neutral, knee neutral, slight out-toeing of feet

Question 110

You are teaching a four-point crutch gait pattern to a 16-year-old basketball player who fractured his left tibia. Which answer below describes this pattern?

A. (L) crutch, (R) foot, (R) crutch, (L) foot
B. (L) crutch, (R) crutch, swing through (R) foot
C. (L) crutch, (R) foot, (L) foot, (R) crutch
D. (R) crutch, (R) foot, (L) crutch, (L) foot

Answer 110

A. (L) crutch, (R) foot, (R) crutch, (L) foot

Question 111

Of the following, which physics law states that the intensity of radiation to a surface will fall off relative to the angle formed between the source and the patient? Clinical application of this law means the ultrasound should be perpendicular to the patient for best results.

A. Inverse square law
B. Ohm’s law
C. Cosine’s law
D. Joule’s law

Answer 111

C. Cosine’s law

Question 112

You are instructed to start percussion on a 55-year-old male. The patient is in the intensive care unit secondary to severe angina. He is experiencing lung congestion and needs to clear his lungs. The patient is oriented, pleasant, and cooperative. How should you proceed in the treatment of this patient?

A. Proceed with treatment as ordered by the physician
B. Treatment is not appropriate; refer back to the physician for advice
C. Treatment is not appropriate so do not evaluate the patient
D. Refer to a respiratory therapist; patient is not a physical therapy candidate

Answer 112

B. Treatment is not appropriate; refer back to the physician for advice

Question 113

Gait evaluation reveals an unsteady gait with a wide base of support. The patient has a positive Romberg sign and watches the ground when ambulating. The patient lands with the heel first, then the toes, creating a double tapping sign. Patient also has loss of position sense in the legs. The area of injury is most likely which of the following?

A. Posterior column deficit
B. Basal ganglion
C. Cerebellum
D. Corticospinal tract

Answer 113

A. Posterior column deficit

Question 114

A patient comes to the clinic complaining of acute cervical spine pain. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being unbearable pain, the patient reports pain at a level 9. Active range of motion for flexion is limited to approximately 25% of movement. Manual muscle testing using the break test method reveals a fair minus grade of cervical flexion. In planning the treatment program, you identify the patient’s short-term goals. Which of the following is an example of a short-term goal for this patient?

A. Patient will be able to demonstrate proper posture and body mechanics
B. Patient will decrease pain level from a 9 to a 7 in a 1-week period
C. Manual muscle test will reveal strength increase from a fair to a normal grade
D. Patient will be able to independently perform a home exercise program

Answer 114

B. Patient will decrease pain level from a 9 to a 7 in a 1-week period

Question 115

The patient is referred to physical therapy with an acute back sprain. The patient enters the clinic barely able to ambulate independently secondary to pain. You are unable to perform range of motion and manual muscle testing secondary to the severity of this patient’s pain. The physician gives you an evaluate and treat order. Based on this information, what would be the appropriate frequency for this patient to attend physical therapy?

A. Patient should attend physical therapy daily, then as needed
B. Three times a week
C. Twice daily
D. Two times a week

Answer 115

A. Patient should attend physical therapy daily, then as needed

Question 116

You are a member of a team of three physical therapists working in an acute hospital setting. You resign to take a job at a larger metropolitan hospital. Upon leaving, as the department head, you must delegate the task of performing the monthly statistical report to another individual to carry out in your absence. Which of the following should you do?

A. Ask for a volunteer from one of the three physical therapists
B. Delegate the task to the physical therapist with the most seniority
C. Do not bother delegating the task since you will be leaving anyway
D. Delegate the task to the physical therapist that has achieved the best performance appraisal in his or her annual evaluation

Answer 116

D. Delegate the task to the physical therapist that has achieved the best performance appraisal in his or her annual evaluation

Question 117

You are a physical therapist assigned a junior physical therapy student who is performing her first internship in a clinical setting. You need to set realistic goals for the four-week internship. Which of the following would be the most appropriate goals for this physical therapy student?

A. The physical therapy student will be able to perform all patient care duties under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist
B. The physical therapy student will be able to solve problems and develop a problem list for each individual patient
C. A physical therapy student will be able to utilize proper body mechanics and to perform modalities
D. The physical therapy student will be able to provide initial evaluations on orthopedic patients

Answer 117

C. A physical therapy student will be able to utilize proper body mechanics and to perform modalities

Question 118

You are studying kinesiology and its mechanical principles as it relates to anatomy. The pull of the brachioradialis and the wrist extensors to maintain the position of elbow flexion is an example of which type of lever system found in the body?

A. First class
B. Second class
C. Third class
D. Fourth class

Answer 118

B. Second class

Question 119

You are working in the gait analysis laboratory in physical therapy school. The instructor is giving a lab practice test. She asks the following questions: “During the push-off phase of gait during the stance phase, which muscles play an important role in providing a normal push-off?”

A. Quadriceps, anterior tibialis, flexor digitorum longus
B. Gluteus maximus, quadriceps, anterior tibialis
C. Anterior tibialis, peroneus brevis
D. Gastrocnemius, soleus, flexor hallucis longus

Answer 119

D. Gastrocnemius, soleus, flexor hallucis longus

Question 120

A patient is sent to physical therapy with a dermatological disorder of psoriasis. The treatment order suggests ultraviolet as a course of treatment for this patient. Prior to beginning the treatment you need to determine what will be an effective dosage for this patient. You perform the test and tell the patient to notify you when he starts to notice some redness. The patient reports that 6 to 8 hours post treatment he noticed a slight redness but had no peeling, blistering, or inflammation. He barely noticed that the ultraviolet had taken place. Which of the following dosages was performed on this
patient?

A. Minimal erythemal dosage
B. Second-degree erythemal
C. Third-degree erythemal
D. Fourth-degree erythemal

Answer 120

A. Minimal erythemal dosage

Question 121

You are treating a patient who has had a left-side CVA approximately 6 weeks ago. The patient requires assistance in plantar flexion of the ankle during the push-off phase of gait. Which of the following braces would be most appropriate in planning this patient’s treatment program?

A. Dorsi-plantar flexion assist
B. Dorsiflexion assist
C. Dorsiflexion stop
D. Free motion ankle joint

Answer 121

A. Dorsi-plantar flexion assist

Question 122

You are working with a neurological patient and are concerned about promoting stability. You are to plan a treatment course that includes PNF patterns to increase and promote stability in this patient. What type of PNF pattern listed below would be most appropriate?

A. Traction
B. Contract-relax
C. Slow reversal
D. Approximation

Answer 122

D. Approximation

Question 123

You are a physical therapist providing athletic coverage to a high school basketball game. One of the players is injured and begins hemorrhaging. You notice that there is oozing and a gradual seeping of blood from the wounded area. It was easy for you to control the bleeding through elevation of the injured area and applying direct pressure over the wound. Which of the following is the type of hemorrhaging that this patient is most likely experiencing?

A. Arterial hemorrhage
B. Venous hemorrhage
C. Capillary hemorrhage
D. Internal hemorrhage

Answer 123

C. Capillary hemorrhage

Question 124

A patient is sent to the physical therapist department with a burn on the right lower extremity from the posterior thigh to below the knee. The patient needs to be positioned to prevent contractures of the knee. Which of the following should be immediately implemented into this patient’s treatment program?

A. Exercises to increase the strength of the hamstring muscles
B. Posterior splint with emphasis on extension
C. An anterior splint with emphasis on flexion
D. A whirlpool for wound care.

Answer 124

B. Posterior splint with emphasis on extension

Question 125

A patient is referred to physical therapy with a cervical vertebral and a vertebral disc disorder. The patient reports no previous history of cervical pain. She had a flare up approximately 2 weeks ago so she went to see her neurologist. The neurologist has ordered intermittent cervical daily along moist heat, ultrasound, and massage. Note that the patient has no structural abnormalities and slight tenderness to pressure at this time. In implementing this patients treatment program, which of the following would be the most appropriate set-up of traction?

A. Cervical traction starting at 8 pounds
B. Cervical traction starting at 16 pounds
C. Cervical traction starting at 20 pounds
D. Cervical traction starting at 10 pounds

Answer 125

B. Cervical traction starting at 16 pounds

Question 126

A patient is referred to the physical therapy department status post total hip replacement. The orders read “partial weightbearing utilizing a walker”. Which of the following would be the most appropriate pattern given the above information?

A. Walker first , then involved lower extremity, then uninvolved extremity is advanced
B. Walker first, then uninvolved lower extremity, then the other lower extremity is advanced
C. Walker first, then uninvolved lower extremity is advanced
D. Uninvolved extremity is advanced

Answer 126

A. Walker first , then involved lower extremity, then uninvolved extremity is advanced

Question 127

You are treating a nursing home patient with a stage three ulcer on the greater trochanter of the nursing staff on what would be the most appropriate course of action to avoid future ulcers in the residents. Which of the following would be the most appropriate response?

A. You are too disgusted to go to nursing home and they will have to find another therapist
B. You should change the patient position in bed to relieve weight on bony prominences every 24 hours
C. When lying in bed, the patient should be given a donut cushion to support bony prominences
D. The patient should be checked frequently for red spots and turned in bed at least every 2 hours

Answer 127

D. The patient should be checked frequently for red spots and turned in bed at least every 2 hours

Question 128

The patient enters the clinic with acute back pain. Upon testing, you notice that the back pain increases from the low back down the right posterior aspect of the lower extremity. In implementing a treatment program for this patient, which of the following would be the most appropriate exercise initially?

A. Williams exercises
B. McKenzie exercises
C. Prone lying times 15 minutes
D. Proper posture and body mechanics instruction

Answer 128

B. McKenzie exercises

Question 129

You implement a gait treatment program for a patient emphasizing the muscle group responsible for deceleration of the limb. You notice through gait evaluation that the patient is having a problem decelerating the unsupported limb. Which of the following muscle would be emphasized in planning this patient treatment program?

A. Quadriceps group
B. Hamstring group
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Anterior tibialis

Answer 129

B. Hamstring group

Question 130

You are physical therapist practicing in a rural clinic that includes one other therapist. The therapist that you are working with calls in sick. It would be impossible for you to treat 30 patient, so you must decide what would be the appropriate course of action. Select the best answer the following?

A. Treat all 30 patients by doing partial treatment
B. Treat the patients on your schedule only and have the other therapists patients rescheduled for her return to work
C. Treat the patient according to the acuteness and severity of their condition by prioritizing patient needs
D. Have your receptionist or office manager

Answer 130

C. Treat the patient according to the acuteness and severity of their condition by prioritizing patient needs

Question 131

Your patient is a 36-yrs-old male who tore his anterior cruciate ligaments skiing downhill in the winter. After much consideration the patient and the surgeon decided to take a nonsurgical rehabilitation course. What functional level would you expect for this patient as the outcome of the physical therapy treatment?

A. The patient will be able to participate at all activity levels in various sports
B. The patient will have to avoid further athletic events for a period of three years
C. The patient will be able to participate in light activities or sports with the assistance of bracing
D. The patient will have to avoid all athletic events for one year

Answer 131

C. The patient will be able to participate in light activities or sports with the assistance of bracing

Question 132

You are treating a patient who has second -degree burn trash with gasoline. The patient will be in the hospital for the next 2 to 4 weeks. Which of the following would be an appropriate time to start the patients treatment program

A. A treatment program should be initiated immediately regardless of the patient pain tolerance
B. A treatment program should be initiated when the patient can tolerate pain
C. A treatment program should be initiated when the burns are healed
D. A treatment program should be initiated after 1 week

Answer 132

A. A treatment program should be initiated immediately regardless of the patient pain tolerance

Question 133

A patient is referred to you with an impingement syndrome of the right rotator cuff. You are to implement a therapeutic exercise program consisting of increasing range of motion, as well as strengthening. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being severe, the patient is in an acute stage reporting of a 6 to 7 level. Which of the following exercises would be the most appropriate to begin?

A. Isokinetic exercise
B. Finger ladder from 0 to 140 degrees times 20 repetitions
C. Resistive active movement from 1 to 160 degrees with the therapist providing resistance
D. Therapy in a stretching program below 90 degrees specifically for supraspinatus and teres minor

Answer 133

D. Therapy in a stretching program below 90 degrees specifically for supraspinatus and teres minor

Question 134

A patient enters the clinic requesting physical therapy services immediately for low back pain. The patient was previously seen in clinic on several different occasions for low back pain. The patient presents you with a prescription that is over 30 days old. Which of the following would be the most appropriate response to this patient?

A. Since the patient has a prescription signed by the physician with appropriate orders, treat the patient.
B. Inform the patient that the prescription is 30 days old; consequently it has expired. Therefore, the patient will have to obtain a new prescription from his physician.
C. Since the patient has been seen on multiple occasions and is well known to you, treat the patient.
D. Call the physician to request a verbal approval over the telephone to treat the patient.

Answer 134

D. Call the physician to request a verbal approval over the telephone to treat the patient.

Question 135

You have a workman’s compensation patient who has been treated three times a week for 2 weeks, receiving moist heat to the cervical paraspinals, right scapular muscle, upper trapezius, and right anterior shoulder, followed by an ultrasound to the right cervical paraspinals. The patient has also received soft tissue massage to the bilateral cervical paraspinals. Patient continues with complaints of elevated pain. In continuing this patients treatment program, which of the following would be the most appropriate response?

A. The patient has been treated only 2 weeks, so continue with 2 more weeks of physical therapy.
B. Since he is a workman’s comp patient and most likely a malingerer, so discharge him from physical therapy.
C. Contact the supervising physical therapist to suggest changes in the treatment program
D. Since the patient us not showing significant progress, he really does not need a physical therapist attention. Therefore, a PT aide should take over with the patient.

Answer 135

C. Contact the supervising physical therapist to suggest changes in the treatment program

Question 136

You are analyzing the gait deviation of an individual who just had a below-the-knee prosthesis on his amputated leg. You notice when the patient is walking in the parallel bars that he has a medial whip on his gait. Which of the following would be the first appropriate component to check on this patient?

A. Remove the prosthesis and check for red sores
B. Check the resistance on the plantar flexor bumper,
C. Check to see if the socket is appropriately fitted
D. Check to see if the knee bolt alignment is too lateral

Answer 136

D. Check to see if the knee bolt alignment is too lateral

Question 137

You are treating a patient status post knee surgery. In the evaluation, you are setting up short- and long-term goals for this patient. Note that when the patient originally came to physical therapy his range of motion was 0 to 73 degrees and strength for knee extension was 4-/5, knee flexion 5/5. Which of the following is an example of a long- term goal?

A. Patient should be able to perform left knee flexion 90 degrees
B. Increase patella mobilization to minimal deficits
C. Increase range of motion to 125 degrees of flexion
D. Eliminate soft tissue mobilization deficit distal to patella

Answer 137

C. Increase range of motion to 125 degrees of flexion

Question 138

You are assisting in implementing a cardiopulmonary treatment program for an inpatient at the hospital. You need to perform chest physical therapy to the left lingual aspect of the upper lobe. Which of the following listed below would be the appropriate positioning for this patient?

A. Patient is in right sidelying position, rotated backward one quarter of a turn, with bed elevated 14 to 18 inches
B. Patient is in left sidelying position, rotated backward one quarter turn, with the bed elevated 14 to 18 inches
C. Patient is in the right sidelying position, rotated backward one half turn, with the bed elevated 14 inches and a pillow placed under the right hip
D. Sitting in a chair, the patient leans forward to approximately 20 degrees to 30 degrees resting on pillows

Answer 138

A. Patient is in right sidelying position, rotated backward one quarter of a turn, with bed elevated 14 to 18 inches

Question 139

You have a patient suffering from low back pain secondary to a posture disorder. The patient enters the clinic bent over, with weight shifted laterally to the right. Your short-term goal is to instruct this patient so that he is independent in proper posture and body mechanics. The patient has very limited time and needs to receive moist heat, ultrasound and traction. The patient is going to be seen daily for 2 weeks. On which day should be proper posture introduce?

A. Day one
B. Day two
C. Day three
D. Day six after patient is pain-free

Answer 139

A. Day one

Question 140

You are treating a patient with a job-related injury who has registered nurse (RN) assigned to his case through a vocational rehabilitation service. The RN phones you and request permission to watch the patient perform during the physical therapy. Which of the following would be the most appropriate response?

A. Since the patient is on workman’s compensation, permit the RN to come in and observe the patient’s treatment.
B. Check the patient’ s file and see if the consent release form has been signed prior with the RN.
C. Notify the RN that she can come and watch the patient only after the patient completes a signed release form
D. Ask the patient if he minds having the RN come in to observe.

Answer 140

B. Check the patient’ s file and see if the consent release form has been signed prior with the RN.

Question 141

A pediatric patient is referred to the clinic for the physical therapy. You have no experience in pediatrics or reasonable understanding of how to treat and progress this particular cerebral palsy child. Which of the following would be appropriate for you to perform ethically and legally with this patient?

A. Since you are not qualified to treat pediatrics, do not accept this patient
B. Accept the patient, but do not promise overoptimistic results
C. Accept the patient. Perform a thorough examination and attempt treatment to the best of your ability
D. Refer the patient to a facility that specializes in pediatric physical therapy

Answer 141

D. Refer the patient to a facility that specializes in pediatric physical therapy

Question 142

Which of the following modalities would be the most appropriate to implement in a treatment program for back pain in the following patient? Patient is a 24- year-old patient female, 2 months on her pregnancy. Patient has a long-standing history of chronic back pain as a result of an automobile accident 6 years ago. Patient currently is reporting acute pain across the low back when sitting, standing for long periods of time, and driving.

A. Rest in sidelying position, supported with pillows between her knees.
B. Moist heat for 20 minutes in a sidelying position
C. Ultrasound pulsed at 2.0 W/cm2
D. Alternate knee to chest exercise

Answer 142

B. Moist heat for 20 minutes in a sidelying position

Question 143

You are implementing a treatment program for bed mobility on a C4 quadriplegic. You have instructed the patient in importance of maintaining normal range of motion, the importance in checking your pressure sores, and monitoring respiratory status. You are especially concerned with strengthening the muscles of the patient. You want the patient to be able to move from supine to sitting and back using electric bed. In implementing a strengthening program, which of the following would be emphasizing?

A. Neck musculature
B. Triceps
C. Wrist extensors
D. Shoulder depressors

Answer 143

A. Neck musculature

Question 144

A 6-year-old patient is referred to you for inflammation of the hip. The physician notes through x-rays that the femoral head of the hip is beginning to experience avascular necrosis. Which of the following would be the most appropriate course of treatment for this patient?

A. The main focus of the therapy is to prevent deformity, maintain joint motion, and use braces to keep the femoral head in acetabulum
B. Rest is indicated , with the use of braces to keep the femoral head in acetabulum
C. Active exercises to increase the strength of the hip
D. Hot packs and active exercise

Answer 144

A. The main focus of the therapy is to prevent deformity, maintain joint motion, and use braces to keep the femoral head in acetabulum

Question 145

You are treating a patient in the neurological unit of another hospital that follows the theories of Bobath. Which of the following would be the treatment emphasis with a neurological patient using the theory of Bobath?

A. Treatment should be active and dynamic
B. Patients learns diagonal patterns of movement
C. Encourage and assist patient to use associated reactions
D. The developmental sequence is used in conjunction with PNF techniques

Answer 145

A. Treatment should be active and dynamic

Question 146

The skin is the first defense mechanism of the body against infection. Which of the following is not a reason why the skin is such an important barrier?

A. Sweat glands secrete chemicals that are toxic to certain bacteria
B. Membranes covered with sticky mucus may sweep away particles by ciliary action
C. Moisture within the cells tends to slow down invading pathogens
D. Sebaceous glands secrete chemicals toxic to certain bacteria

Answer 146

C. Moisture within the cells tends to slow down invading pathogens

Question 147

As an administrator of a facility, you’ve implemented a policy concerning the ordering of patient supplies. The policy states that the administrator must approve any supplies ordered in excess of $10.00 and receive a purchase order prior to ordering. In signing off the monthly invoices, you notice a bill for a $50.00 knee brace. Upon investigation, you determine that an office manager ordered a knee brace for a patient without prior authorization; therefore, the patient’s insurance company will not cover the cost of the brace. As the administrator, which of the following would be the most appropriate response?

A. Explain to the patient that you are sorry but because of a paper work mistake made by the office manager, the insurance company will not cover the cost of the brace and he or she is going to have to pay for the brace.
B. Ask the patient to return the brace to you so it can be sent back to the manufacturer.
C. Call the office manager in for a conference. Make sure that he or she is aware of the policy and knows that if the policy is disregarded in the future, he or she will be responsible to pay for the items not covered.
D. Do not say anything to the employee, but mark it down in your notebook for when you perform his or her future evaluation.

Answer 147

C. Call the office manager in for a conference. Make sure that he or she is aware of the policy and knows that if the policy is disregarded in the future, he or she will be responsible to pay for the items not covered.

Question 148

You are implementing a treatment program for a patient who has a total hip replacement, non-cemented. You are to implement the treatment program considering the patient’s ambulation requirements while in the hospital and after leaving the hospital. The patient will require an assistive device for gait activities. In implementing this treatment program, how long can you anticipate that this patient will require assistive device for gait?

A. 2 weeks
B. 1 month
C. 8 weeks
D. 3 months

Answer 148

D. 3 months

Question 149

You are an administrator of a facility with five physical therapists. Christmas is coming up and two of the therapists request vacation time off at the same time. All the therapists are highly skilled and have been individually recruited to perform special functions within your clinic. Realizing that it is difficult to recruit physical therapists, you want to accommodate everyone as much as possible. What would be the most appropriate method of handling the two physical therapists who want vacation at the same time?

A. Call them into your office and notify them that since you cannot grant both of their vacation requests, you are not granting either.
B. Call them into your office and explain to them that you cannot grant both vacations at the same time and request that one changes his or her vacation.
C. Determine who receives vacation based on seniority.
D. Call a temporary staffing agency to provide coverage.

Answer 149

B. Call them into your office and explain to them that you cannot grant both vacations at the same time and request that one changes his or her vacation.

Question 150

You have a 40-year old female who attends physical therapy complaining of severe pain in the posterior region of the right and the upper trapezius. The patient reports numbness and tingling in the right upper extremity and you suspect possible thoracic outlet syndrome. The patient is treated with moist heat, ultrasound, and massage for 2 weeks with no effects. You are planning an assessment of this patient for a progress report going to the physician next Friday. Which of the following tests would be best to utilize to confirm your suspicions?

A. Drop arm test
B. Apprehension test
C. Adson’s test
D. Tinel’s sign

Answer 150

C. Adson’s test

Question 151

A 26-year-old patient status post spinal cord injury as a result of a diving accident presents the following functional outcomes: vital capacity is 60% to 80%, patient is
independent in bed mobility, patient is independent with pressure relief and a manual wheelchair, and patient can assist with independent transfers. Based on the above listed outcomes, what would be the most likely level of lesion in this patient?

A. C4
B. C5
C. C6
D. C7, C8

Answer 151

C. C6

Question 152

You are the administrator in a facility where you have just hired a new physical therapist specializing in knee rehabilitation. The physical therapist starts in a department at the end of the fiscal year. You currently are taxed out on your capital equipment budget for the year. The physical therapist notifies you on the first day that unless you purchase an isokinetic system, he is going to leave your facility to join one that can provide this equipment. What would be the most appropriate response to this physical therapist?

A. Let the physical therapist leave. Tell him you are sorry, but your capital budget is spent and you will be unable to purchase the equipment.
B. Request emergency funding to purchase the equipment so you will not lose the physical therapist.
C. Rent an isokinetic unit immediately until you can afford to purchase one.
D. Explain to the physical therapist that you have already met the capital budget for this year. However, you will include the request on the proposed budget for the following year.

Answer 152

D. Explain to the physical therapist that you have already met the capital budget for this year. However, you will include the request on the proposed budget for the following year.

Question 153

A patient in your clinic has been receiving hot pack, ultrasound, and massage to the cervical region for one month. Today after treatment, you record his notes: some progress, no complications with treatment. One hour later, the patient called you complaining of a red spot under his ear. What should you do next?

A. Have the patient come to the clinic so you can inspect the area and put a dressing on it.
B. Have the patient come to the clinic so you can inspect the area, and notify your supervising physical therapist of the patient’s complications.
C. Ignore the patient since he always exaggerates his symptoms.
D. Tell the patient to call back tomorrow if the red spot is still present.

Answer 153

B. Have the patient come to the clinic so you can inspect the area, and notify your supervising physical therapist of the patient’s complications.

Question 154

You are treating a 63-year old lawyer for backpain who is referred to an orthopedic surgeon 60 miles out of town. The orthopedic surgeon owns his private clinic and tells the patient he must have physical therapy at his clinic. The patient approaches you because driving 20 minutes or more increases pain. What should you tell the patient?

A. The physician is abroad who is trying to make more money for his own physical therapy practice.
B. The physician owns his clinic, which is illegal; find another physician.
C. Tell the patient he has the right to attend the clinic of his choice. If he has any concerns, he should talk to his family physician that originally referred him for physical therapy.
D. Since the patient is a lawyer and interested in the physical therapy profession, discuss the legal and ethical information with him.

Answer 154

C. Tell the patient he has the right to attend the clinic of his choice. If he has any concerns, he should talk to his family physician that originally referred him for physical therapy.

Question 155

You are treating a 16-year old male status post ACL reconstruction on the right knee. The patient was injured in summer practice for the upcoming football season. The patient has responded very well to physical therapy and is aggressively rehabilitating the right knee. It is the patient’s goal to return to the football team in time for the playoffs in December. Based on the above information, what would be an appropriate time to implement a therapeutic exercise program consisting of isokinetics?

A. 8 weeks post operative
B. 12 weeks post operative
C. Check with the referring physician’s protocol
D. 6 weeks post operative so the patient can return to football in time for playoffs

Answer 155

C. Check with the referring physician’s protocol

Question 156

You are working with a cerebral palsy child. You notice that the child has great difficulty reaching for an object with one hand. The child prefers to reach for an object with both hands. What age would be considered normal for a child to be able to reach for an object with one hand?

A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 1 year
D. 9 months

Answer 156

B. 6 months

Question 157

You are performing an assessment on a patient with cardiac abnormalities. In listening to the heart sounds, you notice that after the first heart sound, S1 lub, you hear an increased resistance to ventricular filling. This is heard immediately preceding the first heart sound and is associated with increased resistance to ventricular filling. In writing your progress notes, what term would you use to describe this sound?

A. S1 lub
B. S2 dub
C. S3 ventricular gallop
D. S4 atrial gallop

Answer 157

D. S4 atrial gallop

Question 158

You are assessing a patient with complaints of hip pain beginning at the greater trochanter with radiating symptoms extending down below the knee. There are no physical signs of injury and the patient is slightly tender to palpation on the greater trochanter. You suspect the patient’s problems may be a result of iliotibial tightness. To evaluate the iliotibial band, which of the following tests would be the most appropriate to utilize?

A. Thomas test
B. Straight leg raise test
C. Trendelenburg test
D. Ober test

Answer 158

D. Ober test

Question 159

You are performing an evaluation on a patient with a peripheral nerve injury affecting the wrist and hand. Upon assessment, you notice that the wrist cannot be extended actively, the digits are partially extended due to the tendon action but not actively contracting, and the grasp is weak. The patient demonstrates a wrist drop secondary to paralysis of the extensors of the digits. Based upon this information, what type of peripheral nerve injury is this patient most likely experiencing?

A. Median nerve paralysis
B. Ulnar nerve paralysis
C. Radial nerve paralysis
D. Ulnar/Median nerve paralysis

Answer 159

C. Radial nerve paralysis

Question 160

You are treating a 42-year-old female patient for adhesive capsulitis of the Ruth shoulder. You are performing muscle palpation to evaluate areas of tenderness. The patient is in a prone position and her arm is hanging over the edge of the table. The scapula has moved forward on the rib cage secondary to the weight of the arm being partially routed upward. Upon palpation, you identify the spine of the scapulae and palpate above the spine. You perform abduction to the arm to feel the muscle contraction. You identify the muscle underneath the trapezius and deltoid. Of the muscles listed below, which is the most likely muscle that you are attempting to palpate?

A. Supraspinatus
B. Teres minor
C. Teres major
D. Subscapularis

Answer 160

A. Supraspinatus

Question 161

An 18-year-old basketball player comes to the clinic complaining of acute left ankle pain. He reports that while practicing a jump shot, he came down and twisted his ankle on the lateral aspect. Upon evaluation, you find acute swelling and edema without assistance or a support brace, Based on this information, which of the following is the correct grade to classify this patient’s ankle sprain?

A. Grade four
B. Grade three
C. Grade two
D. Grade one

Answer 161

D. Grade one

Question 162

Athletes participating in competition need energy sources to activate their muscles. Which of the following is the best prime energy source for active muscles?

A. Glucose
B. Fats
C. Proteins
D. Starches

Answer 162

A. Glucose

Question 163

You are a physical therapist working in private practice and in charge of marketing a new-work conditioning program to the public and physicians. You are on a fixed budget and must determine the most appropriate marketing media for you to utilize. Which of the following would gain the most access to the public and maintain cost control?

A. An extensive color brochure with pictures to be mailed to all physicians and insurance companies.
B. A direct mail campaign to members of the community and surrounding communities.
C. Newspaper advertisement
D. Telephone calls to physician’s offices and insurance companies

Answer 163

C. Newspaper advertisement

Question 164

You are performing a manual muscle test on a patient secondary to weakness in the posterior shoulder joint muscles. You are attempting to evaluate the patient’s musculoskeletal status. The patient is positioned prone with the shoulder at the edge of the table, his arm hanging down over the side. You place the scapula in a position of adduction with some lateral rotation of the inferior angle and elevation of the shoulder girdle. You then provide pressure against the weight of the suspended arm that will exert a force that abducts the scapula. The patient’s shoulder is placed in 90% of abduction with lateral rotation, and the elbow is completely extended. Based on this information, which of the following muscles are you most likely testing?

A. Lower trapezius
B. Upper trapezius
C. Middle trapezius
D. Serratus anterior

Answer 164

C. Middle trapezius

Question 165

You are a new physical therapist starting your first job at the hospital physical therapy department. The administrator of the department is going over records and documentation with you. The administrator states that keeping records in physical therapy is crucial. The administrator asks you if you know the primary reasons for keeping records. Which of the following would be the best answer?

A. Third Party payers
B. Legal reasons
C. Research
D. Improvement of patient care

Answer 165

D. Improvement of patient care

Question 166

In performing a research study, you are to determine the effects of iontophoresis versus phonophoresis on lateral epicondylitis. In your study, both the administrator and the subjects are ignorant of the experiment conditions. Which of the following studies is being performed?

A. Blind study
B. Control group
C. Double blind study
D. T-test

Answer 166

C. Double blind study

Question 167

A patient is referred to physical therapy secondary to a hand injury. After 3 months of physical therapy, the patient is ready to be discharged and you are doing discriminative testing to determine the patient’s discriminative sensation. You are placing objects in the patient’s hand and asking her to respond if the object is heavier or lighter than the last object. Which of the following tests are you most likely performing?

A. Barognosis
B. Graphesthesia
C. Stereognosis
D. Two-point discrimination

Answer 167

A. Barognosis

Question 168

The therapist is performing passive range of motion to determine the end-feel at the end of the joint. This is when the joint reaches its physiological limit of motion. The end-feel is the description of what the joint feels like when it reaches its limit of motion. This particular patient’s end-feel can be defined as an involuntary muscle contraction that causes resistance to the passive range of motion that the therapist is performing. This best defines which of the following?

A. Capsular end-feel
B. Spasm end-feel
C. Spring block end-feel
D. Soft tissue approximation

Answer 168

B. Spasm end-feel

Question 169

You are performing an evaluation of a patient in a neonatal intensive care unit of a large hospital. You are utilizing a scoring system to evaluate the status of the newborn. Heart rate, respiration, muscle tone, color, and reflexes are all measured on a scale of 0 to 2 at birth. Which of the following scoring systems are you most likely utilizing?

A. Rule of nines
B. Apgar score
C. Neurological testing
D. Rancho Los Amigos scale

Answer 169

B. Apgar score

Question 170

As the administrator of a physical therapy department in a hospital, it is your responsibility to determine infection control policies for the department. These policies are reviewed and updated annually to meet various agency requirements. Of the following, which would not be an example of an infection control policy?

A. Universal precautions should be followed with each and every patient, regardless of diagnosis or conditioning.
B. Hand washing should occur at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day.
C. Infectious medical waste should be placed in a container labeled “only for medical waste.”
D. Whirlpool should be cultured at least annually or after usage by a patient with an infectious disease.

Answer 170

B. Hand washing should occur at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day.

Question 171

You are the administrator of a facility determining the policy on retention and preservation of clinical records. The clinical records pertaining to patients must be maintained for a length of time after they are discharged. Of the following, which is not an example of a policy on retention and preservation of clinical records?

A. Clinical records will be maintained for a period of 5 years from the date of patient discharge.
B. Clinical records of a minor will be retained for a period of 3 years after the patient comes of age.
C. Clinical records will be contained within a fireproof file cabinet on the premises.
D. Access to clinical records is available to all personnel from 8 am to 5 pm.

Answer 171

D. Access to clinical records is available to all personnel from 8 am to 5 pm.

Question 172

A patient is referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of posttraumatic synovitis. The patient is seen in physical therapy approximately 48 hours after the initial injury. The physician has ordered you to evaluate and treat the patient approximately. Which of the following modalities would you start with this patient?

A. Range of motion exercises
B. Ice and high-voltage galvanic stimulation
C. Hot pack and high-voltage galvanic stimulation
D. Hot pack and functional electrical stimulation

Answer 172

B. Ice and high-voltage galvanic stimulation

Question 173

You are performing an orthotic shoe modification for a runner. The patient has a diagnosis of pes valgus. You decide to give the patient support of the longitudinal arch that will assist in correcting the pes valgus. Which of the following are you most likely utilizing?

A. Scaphoid pads
B. Thomas heel
C. Metatarsal bars
D. Rocker bottom

Answer 173

B. Thomas heel

Question 174

You are providing hot packs to a patient with cervical/neck pain. When you go to get the hot packs out of the hydrocollator, you decide to test the temperature of the water to make sure it is appropriate to avoid a burn to the patient. Which of the following would be the ideal temperature for a moist hot pack?
A. 45°C
B. 55° to 65°C
C. 65° to 90°C
D. 149° to 194°C

Answer 174

C. 65° to 90°C

Question 175

You are an administrator in a facility trying to motivate your clinical staff to improve their performance. You are looking to increase the number of patient visits and utilization of equipment at your facility. Which of the following would be the most appropriate method of improving your staff performance?

A. Keep statistics on the number of patients seen per physical therapist per day.
B. Keep daily statistics on the number of modalities the therapists perform on patients.
C. Set short- and long-term goals for the physical therapists regarding the appropriate number of patients and modalities per day. Encourage open communication on setting these goals.
D. Have daily meetings at which you rank each physical therapist according to who performed the highest number of visits and modalities.

Answer 175

C. Set short- and long-term goals for the physical therapists regarding the appropriate number of patients and modalities per day. Encourage open communication on setting these goals.

Question 176

You are a consultant to a hospital based in an outpatient rehabilitation program. You have been hired to improve the positive image of this facility. You’ve met with the clinical staff and viewed the top 10 opportunities, as well as obstacles, that will affect a consumer perception of the rehab department. Which of the following is an example of an obstacle to a patient who is considering entering your rehabilitation facility?

A. The initial treatment is scheduled within 24-hour period
B. The staff tends to open exam room doors without knocking
C. Equipment is modern
D. Payment is expected at the time of service

Answer 176

B. The staff tends to open exam room doors without knocking

Question 177

Your patient is being discharged from the hospital to his or her home. To provide for continuity of care, the patient will continue to receive home physical therapy. Which of the following would be the appropriate action for you to take to assure the patient’s continuity of care?

A. Refer the patient to a home health physical therapist of whom you have heard good reports.
B. Report to the patient’s home yourself and treat him or her on the side away from the hospital.
C. Provide the social worker with a report on the patient’s status.
D. Telephone the physical therapist that will be continuing to see the patient at home and give him or her update on the appropriate exercises you have been performing, including any protocols.

Answer 177

D. Telephone the physical therapist that will be continuing to see the patient at home and give him or her update on the appropriate exercises you have been performing, including any protocols.

Question 178

An 80-year-old female reports the following history: she was at the mall shopping when she stepped onto the escalator and twisted her left ankle. She is now referred to physical therapy and the physician instructs you to perform strengthening exercise to the lateral ligament of the ankle. Of the following ligaments, which would you not be rehabilitating?

A. Calcaneofibular
B. Anterior tibiofibular
C. Posterior talofibular
D. Anterior talofibular

Answer 178

B. Anterior tibiofibular

Question 179

You have a patient referred to physical therapy secondary to Bell’s palsy. You are to instruct the patient in a series of facial muscle exercise designed to increase and maintain function. The therapist instructs you to work on the muscle whose function is to draw the angles of the mouth downward. Which of the following would you emphasize for this treatment program?

A. Levator anguli oris
B. Buccinator
C. Orbicularis oris
D. Platysma

Answer 179

D. Platysma

Question 180

You are providing a consultation to a facility considering adding occupational therapy services to the already developed physical therapy services. Prior to adding occupational therapy services, which of the following is the most important aspect to evaluate in determining if the program will be successful?

A. Contact physicians to see if they have occupational therapy patients in the area
B. Determine reimbursement for occupational services
C. Interview the physical therapists to see if they will be supportive to occupational therapy services
D. Determine if any of the facilities around you have occupational therapy services that will compete with yours

Answer 180

C. Interview the physical therapists to see if they will be supportive to occupational therapy services

Question 181

You are the director of several outpatient physical therapy clinics that maintain staffing of one physical therapist, one physical therapy aide, and an office manager. The physical therapist notifies you that she needs the day off but you are unable to grant the request, as you have no other coverage. The physical therapist informs you that if you do not grant her request, she will call in sick anyway. Which of the following would be the most appropriate response to this physical therapist?

A. Tell her that if she calls in sick, she will be fired
B. Since she will call in sick anyway, grant the day off
C. Explain to the physical therapist that you are very sorry that you have no coverage, and ask her to pick a day when coverage is available
D. Give the physical therapist the day off and rearrange your schedule so you can cover

Answer 181

C. Explain to the physical therapist that you are very sorry that you have no coverage, and ask her to pick a day when coverage is available

Question 182

You are an administrator setting up a policy on the length of time in which initial evaluation reports should be sent to physicians after the patient is seen in the facility. Which of the following would be the most appropriate and reasonable length of time between the initial evaluation and the dictated report to the physician?

A. 2 days
B. 1 week
C. 10 days
D. 2 weeks

Answer 182

B. 1 week

Question 183

You are providing a continuing education in-service of on the necessary elements for a physician’s prescription to be acceptable. You have problems within the department of several therapists treating patients with prescriptions that have been lacking information. Which of the following best describes what should be included in a physician’s prescription?

A. Diagnosis, date, precautions, treatment, and physicians signature
B. Diagnosis, frequency of treatment, as well as an “eval and treat” order
C. Physician’s signature, diagnosis, and date
D. Physician’s signature, diagnosis, date, and modalities

Answer 183

B. Diagnosis, frequency of treatment, as well as an “eval and treat” order

Question 184

You are providing an educational program on how to avoid a potential lawsuit. Although lawsuits against physical therapists remain few, you are in-servicing the staff to avoid any future unnecessary litigation. Which of the following is the most important aspect in avoiding unnecessary litigation?

A. Have a signed physician’s prescription for each patient
B. Make sure all patients have signed the appropriate forms prior to entering physical therapy
C. Provide a complete, thorough initial evaluation and well-documented progress notes
D. Provide patient instructions and education that are thoroughly documented

Answer 184

C. Provide a complete, thorough initial evaluation and well-documented progress notes

Question 185

You are a physical therapist who has been sent out to consult with a nursing home secondary to ulcers on the ischial tuberosities of several patients. Upon entering the nursing home, you begin to observe the patients. You notice redness, edema, blistering, and hardening of tissue. The inflammation has extended into the fat layer and there is superficial necrosis. Which of the following stages is characterized by such symptoms?

A. Stage one
B. Stage two
C. Stage three
D. Stage four

Answer 185

B. Stage two

Question 186

A patient comes to the clinic complaining of severe pain following the sprain that occurred approximately 3 months ago. The patient reports that the pain is persistent and above the normal level that he had typically experienced on previous sprains. The patient has had recurring ankle sprains for the past 3 to 4 years. The patient reports that typically the sprain heals and goes away in approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Initially, he had swelling and increased warmth in the ankle. The patient reports that in the past 2 months he has noticed that the skin has appeared shiny and leathery around the ankle. In planning this patient’s treatment program, which of the following would be most appropriate?

A. Range of motion exercises
B. Contrast baths, electrical stimulation, and range of motion
C. Whirlpool treatments
D. Therapeutic exercises consisting of an ankle progressive resistive exercise machine

Answer 186

B. Contrast baths, electrical stimulation, and range of motion

Question 187

You are performing mobilization on a patient to alleviate pain and maintain joint motion. You are performing anterior/posterior mobilization on a glenohumeral joint using small amplitude of movement in the beginning of range of motion. Which of the following grades listed below are you utilizing in treating this patient?

A. Grade one
B. Grade two
C. Grade three
D. Grade four

Answer 187

A. Grade one

Question 188

You are performing physical therapy in a skilled nursing facility. You are treating a patient on a daily inpatient basis with skilled physical therapy services. These services are needed by the patient to meet activities of daily living. Which of the following program would Medicare pay for in a skilled nursing facility?

A. A progressive resistance exercise program
B. A range of motion exercise program
C. A maintenance exercise program
D. An exercise program that is complex and requires the skilled services of a physical therapist

Answer 188

D. An exercise program that is complex and requires the skilled services of a physical therapist

Question 189

MODIFIED: Which of the following is not based on the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Asosciation?

A. Physical Therapists respect the rights and dignities of all individuals
B. Physical therapists comply with the rules and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy
C. Physical therapists seek remuneration for their services as deserved as reasonable
D. Physical therapists continue to participate in educational activities that will enhance their skills.

Answer 189

D. Physical therapists continue to participate in educational activities that will enhance their skills.

Question 190

A patient is sent to physical therapy complaining of back pain with symptoms intermittently radiating down the left lower extremity. Muscle testing reveals 4-/5 quadriceps strength, 4-/5 hamstring strength, tenderness to palpation in t6he PSIS region, and slouched sitting posture. Next you test the sensory distribution of the cutaneous nerves. Dermatome distribution is not intact to sharp and dull touch along the area of the anterior thigh or on the inside of the medial aspect of the anterior thigh. Which level of dermatome distribution listed below does this patient appear not to have?

A. L1
B. L2
C. L3
D. L5

Answer 190

B. L2

Question 191

You are the instructor in the physical therapy program and are explaining to your students the various laws and how they relate to physical therapy. You describe the laws as follows: prohibition against exclusion of people from jobs, services, or activities based solely on their disability. The major difference between this new law and the old law in the books is that the term “disability” is used instead of “handicap.” Which of the following laws are you describing to your staff?

A. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
B. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
C. Civil Rights Act of 1964
D. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975

Answer 191

B. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Question 192

You are a physical therapist practicing in a rural setting with a physical therapist assistant. You receive a phone call late at night and, due to a family emergency, you will be unable to work at the clinic the next day. You have 20 patients scheduled for physical therapy between you and the physical therapist assistant. What would be the most appropriate response to care for these patients?

A. Reschedule the patients for your return to work the next day
B. Have the physical therapist assistant treat all the patients, utilizing your progress notes from the previous week
C. Call the physical therapy department some time the next day to inform them of what treatments the patients should receive
D. Provide a thorough summary of each patient and leave it at the department for the physical therapist assistant to begin with the next morning

Answer 192

D. Provide a thorough summary of each patient and leave it at the department for the physical therapist assistant to begin with the next morning

Question 193

Adrenal cortex hypersecretions can result in many diseases. In this particular one, obesity is the most common feature in the face, trunk, and dorsal spinal region. The patient often has a “moonface,” hypertension, and osteoporosis. Which of the diseases listed below does the above description define?

A. Cushing’s syndrome
B. Adrenogenital syndrome
C. Conn’s syndrome
D. Addison’s syndrome

Answer 193

A. Cushing’s syndrome

Question 194

You are a physical therapist who is looking at your schedule of patients for the day. You notice that you have a patient coming in for knee evaluation. You contact the physician to get as much information as possible regarding this patient prior to evaluation. The physician informs you that the knee has extreme effusion and he suspects that there are loose bodies floating in the knee. Of the following, which test would be appropriate to utilize first in assisting in planning this patient’s evaluation?

A. Patellar femoral test
B. Apprehension patella test
C. Apley’s distraction test
D. Bounce home test

Answer 194

D. Bounce home test

Question 195

A patient enters the clinic with an order to have physical therapy daily for 3 weeks. The patient was sent with a diagnosis of knee pain. Upon initial evaluation, you notice that the range of motion and manual muscle testing is normal. The patient has no significant complaints of pain at this time and it has been 2 weeks since he saw the physician. Which of the following would be the most appropriate response in determining the frequency of treating this patient?

A. Treat the patient daily for 3 weeks
B. Reduce the patient’s treatment to three times a week for 3 weeks
C. Treat the patient once a week for 3 weeks
D. Contact the physician to report that the patient is no longer experiencing any symptoms and discharge the patient

Answer 195

D. Contact the physician to report that the patient is no longer experiencing any symptoms and discharge the patient

Question 196

A patient enters the clinic with a prescription from a prominent neurological surgeon. Due to illegible handwriting you are unable to read the complete diagnosis of the patient. You can make out the first part, which states Lou Gehrig’s disease. Next to this there is some continual scrolling. Which of the following is another name for Lou Gehrig’s disease?

A. Parkinson’s disease
B. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
C. Hodgkin’s disease
D. Marfan’s disease

Answer 196

B. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Question 197

An 86-year-old female falls down the stairs into her basement and breaks her hip. During the course of therapy, rehabilitation goes exceptionally well and the patient is completely healed except for the hip adductor muscle group, where nerves appear to have been permanently damaged and will not recover. Which nerve or nerves innervate the hip adductor muscles?

A. Obturator and sciatic
B. Sciatic
C. Obturator
D. Femoral

Answer 197

A. Obturator and sciatic

Question 198

A patient comes to the clinic complaining of inflammation and pain. The physician diagnosed the patient as having bursitis and recommended iontophoresis for treatment. Which of the following is the most frequent location of bursitis?

A. Subacromion area
B. Knee
C. Elbow
D. Ischial tuberosity

Answer 198

A. Subacromion area

Question 199

You are testing patient’s non-equlibrium coordination. You ask her to run on her right heel from her left kneecap down her left shin to the ankle and back to the knee again. The patient can touch her kneecap accurately but she cannot keep the heel of the right foot on the tibia during the up and down motion. These results describe which of the following?

A. Dysmetria
B. Dysdiadochokinesia
C. Barognosis
D. Dyssynergia

Answer 199

D. Dyssynergia

Question 200

A patient is recently admitted to the hospital emergency room after falling down the stairs at home. This 62-year-old female complains of pain in her left groin and gluteal area. You observe that the left hip is in flexion, adduction, and internal rotation. Which of the following is the patient most likely suffering?

A. A gluteus maximum strain
B. A dislocated hip
C. A fractured femoral head
D. An adductor muscle strain

Answer 200

B. A dislocated hip