NPTE-PT General Exam 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents with weakness of shoulder abduction and external rotation following a traumatic injury to the neck. Which nerve root level is most likely affected?
- C4
- C5 (Correct answer)
- C6
- C7
Correct answer: C5
C5 innervates the deltoid (shoulder abduction) and infraspinatus/teres minor (external rotation) via the axillary and suprascapular nerves.
Question 2: During gait assessment, a therapist notices the patient's pelvis drops on the left side during right stance phase. Which muscle is most likely weak?
- Right hip adductor
- Left hip abductor
- Right hip abductor (Correct answer)
- Left hip adductor
Correct answer: Right hip abductor
A contralateral pelvic drop (Trendelenburg sign) during stance indicates weakness of the stance-side hip abductors (right gluteus medius).
Question 3: A patient recovering from a stroke demonstrates hypertonicity with elbow flexion, wrist flexion, and finger flexion. This pattern is consistent with which synergy?
- Upper extremity extensor synergy
- Upper extremity flexor synergy (Correct answer)
- Lower extremity flexor synergy
- Lower extremity extensor synergy
Correct answer: Upper extremity flexor synergy
Elbow, wrist, and finger flexion are hallmarks of the upper extremity flexor synergy pattern seen post-stroke.
Question 4: Which spirometry value is most useful for differentiating obstructive from restrictive pulmonary disease?
- FVC
- FEV1/FVC ratio (Correct answer)
- TLC
- RV
Correct answer: FEV1/FVC ratio
The FEV1/FVC ratio is reduced in obstructive disease (airflow limitation) but normal or elevated in restrictive disease.
Question 5: A physical therapist is treating a patient with a stage III pressure injury. Which of the following best describes this wound?
- Intact skin with non-blanchable erythema
- Partial-thickness skin loss involving the dermis
- Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue (Correct answer)
- Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
Correct answer: Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue
Stage III pressure injuries involve full-thickness skin loss where subcutaneous fat is visible but bone, tendon, and muscle are not exposed.
Question 6: Which special test is used to assess for a torn acetabular labrum of the hip?
- Thomas test
- FABER test
- FADIR test (Correct answer)
- Ober test
Correct answer: FADIR test
The FADIR test (Flexion, ADduction, Internal Rotation) is the most sensitive provocative test for acetabular labral tears and hip impingement.
Question 7: A patient is performing a seated leg press exercise. According to the ACSM guidelines for resistance training, what is the recommended rest interval between sets for muscular strength development?
- 15–30 seconds
- 30–60 seconds
- 2–5 minutes (Correct answer)
- 8–10 minutes
Correct answer: 2–5 minutes
ACSM recommends 2–5 minutes of rest between sets when training for maximal muscular strength to allow adequate phosphocreatine replenishment.
NPTE-PT General Exam 2
A patient presents with weakness of shoulder abduction and external rotation following a traumatic injury to the neck.
Which nerve root level is most likely affected?