NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Pharmacology and Medical Sciences Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which lab value indicates the highest concern for initiating resistive exercise in a patient receiving chemotherapy?
- Platelet count below 50,000/mm³ (Correct answer)
- Hemoglobin of 11 g/dL
- WBC of 6,000/mm³
- Serum albumin of 3.5 g/dL
Correct answer: Platelet count below 50,000/mm³
A platelet count below 50,000/mm³ significantly increases bleeding risk, contraindicating high-intensity resistive exercise.
Question 2: A patient with Type 2 diabetes is scheduled for a 60-minute PT session. Blood glucose before exercise is 60 mg/dL. The therapist should:
- Delay exercise and provide a carbohydrate snack (Correct answer)
- Proceed with low-intensity exercise only
- Begin exercise immediately to raise glucose naturally
- Cancel the session and call 911
Correct answer: Delay exercise and provide a carbohydrate snack
A pre-exercise glucose below 70 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia; the PT should delay exercise and give 15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrate.
Question 3: A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports muscle tremors and confusion during a PT session. The PT should:
- Stop treatment, assess vitals, and contact the physician immediately (Correct answer)
- Attribute symptoms to exercise fatigue and continue
- Administer water and rest the patient for 10 minutes
- Decrease exercise intensity and monitor
Correct answer: Stop treatment, assess vitals, and contact the physician immediately
Tremors and confusion in a lithium patient may signal lithium toxicity, a medical emergency requiring immediate physician contact.
Question 4: Which diuretic side effect most directly requires modification of a PT exercise program?
- Hypokalemia causing muscle weakness (Correct answer)
- Increased urine output at night
- Reduced thirst sensation
- Mild headache
Correct answer: Hypokalemia causing muscle weakness
Hypokalemia from diuretics impairs skeletal muscle function and can cause weakness, cramping, and arrhythmias affecting exercise safety.
Question 5: A patient is prescribed opioid analgesics post-surgery. Which PT consideration is MOST important?
- Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression that could impair exercise safety (Correct answer)
- Avoid all weight-bearing activities
- Restrict range-of-motion exercises
- Withhold treatment until opioids are discontinued
Correct answer: Monitor for sedation and respiratory depression that could impair exercise safety
Opioids cause CNS depression and sedation, which can impair balance, coordination, and safe participation in PT.
Question 6: When is it MOST appropriate for a PT to consult with a pharmacist during patient management?
- When a patient's multiple medications may interact and affect rehabilitation goals (Correct answer)
- Only when prescribing new medications
- When the patient refuses to take medications
- After treatment goals have been achieved
Correct answer: When a patient's multiple medications may interact and affect rehabilitation goals
Pharmacists are the expert resource for drug interactions and can help the PT understand how polypharmacy may influence functional rehabilitation.
NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Pharmacology and Medical Sciences Questions and Answers 2
Which lab value indicates the highest concern for initiating resistive exercise in a patient receiving chemotherapy?