NPTE-PT Test NPTE-PT Free Npte Te 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A physical therapist is testing a patient's deep tendon reflexes and finds an absent patellar reflex with weakness in knee extension. Which nerve root level is most likely involved?
- L2
- L3
- L4 (Correct answer)
- L5
Correct answer: L4
The patellar (knee-jerk) reflex is mediated primarily by the L4 nerve root. Absence of this reflex combined with knee extension weakness points to L4 pathology, as the quadriceps muscle group is innervated chiefly at L3-L4 but the reflex arc centers on L4.
Question 2: During the stance phase of gait, which muscle group is primarily responsible for preventing the knee from buckling into flexion at initial contact and loading response?
- Hamstrings
- Quadriceps (Correct answer)
- Gastrocnemius
- Tibialis anterior
Correct answer: Quadriceps
The quadriceps eccentrically contract during loading response to control knee flexion and prevent buckling. They absorb the impact of body weight and stabilize the knee as the limb accepts load.
Question 3: A therapist performing a Spurling's test applies downward compression and lateral flexion of the cervical spine toward the symptomatic side. A positive test is indicated by:
- Reproduction of local neck pain only
- Reproduction of radicular symptoms into the ipsilateral arm (Correct answer)
- Increased range of cervical rotation
- Bilateral upper extremity numbness
Correct answer: Reproduction of radicular symptoms into the ipsilateral arm
Spurling's test is positive when the maneuver reproduces radicular (nerve root) symptoms — pain, numbness, or tingling — radiating into the ipsilateral arm. Local neck pain alone does not constitute a positive finding for foraminal compression.
Question 4: A patient with adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) would most likely demonstrate the greatest loss of passive range of motion in which movement?
- Flexion
- External rotation (Correct answer)
- Internal rotation
- Horizontal adduction
Correct answer: External rotation
External rotation is characteristically the most restricted motion in adhesive capsulitis because the anterior capsule and coracohumeral ligament become contracted. The pattern of restriction follows a capsular pattern: external rotation > abduction > internal rotation.
Question 5: When measuring blood pressure in a patient with suspected coarctation of the aorta, the physical therapist should compare readings between:
- Right arm and left arm
- Upper extremity and lower extremity (Correct answer)
- Sitting and standing positions
- At rest and immediately after exercise
Correct answer: Upper extremity and lower extremity
Coarctation of the aorta causes a significant blood pressure gradient between the upper and lower extremities, with higher pressures in the arms and reduced or absent pressure in the legs. Comparing upper to lower extremity BPs is the key clinical screen.
Question 6: A therapist is applying moist heat to a patient's lumbar spine. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to this thermal modality?
- Chronic muscle spasm
- Subacute ligament sprain
- Area of impaired sensation (Correct answer)
- Delayed-onset muscle soreness
Correct answer: Area of impaired sensation
Impaired sensation is an absolute contraindication to superficial heat application because the patient cannot reliably detect harmful temperature levels, placing them at high risk for thermal burns. All other options listed are common indications or relative considerations for heat.
NPTE-PT Test NPTE-PT Free Npte Te 1
A physical therapist is testing a patient's deep tendon reflexes and finds an absent patellar reflex with weakness in knee extension.
Which nerve root level is most likely involved?