NPTE-PT MCQ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which cranial nerve is responsible for the gag reflex (afferent limb)?
- Cranial nerve V
- Cranial nerve IX (Correct answer)
- Cranial nerve X
- Cranial nerve XII
Correct answer: Cranial nerve IX
CN IX (glossopharyngeal) carries the afferent signal from the posterior pharynx for the gag reflex, while CN X carries the efferent motor response.
Question 2: A PT measures a patient's shoulder ROM at 160° of flexion. According to the APTA, the normal value for shoulder flexion is:
- 150°
- 170°
- 180° (Correct answer)
- 190°
Correct answer: 180°
Normal shoulder flexion is 180° according to standard physical therapy reference values.
Question 3: Which type of muscle contraction produces the greatest force output?
- Concentric
- Isometric
- Eccentric (Correct answer)
- Isokinetic concentric
Correct answer: Eccentric
Eccentric contractions produce the greatest tension because cross-bridge cycling is combined with external stretching forces.
Question 4: A patient reports that pain decreases with walking and worsens with prolonged sitting. This pattern is MOST consistent with:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Discogenic low back pain (Correct answer)
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Lumbar facet joint syndrome
Correct answer: Discogenic low back pain
Discogenic pain typically worsens with flexion-loaded postures like prolonged sitting and improves with extension activities such as walking.
Question 5: When applying TENS for pain modulation using the gate control mechanism, which parameters are used?
- Low frequency (1–10 Hz), high intensity
- High frequency (80–150 Hz), low intensity (sensory level) (Correct answer)
- Low frequency (1–10 Hz), low intensity
- High frequency (80–150 Hz), high intensity (motor level)
Correct answer: High frequency (80–150 Hz), low intensity (sensory level)
Conventional (high-frequency, low-intensity) TENS activates large-diameter Aβ fibers to close the pain gate at the dorsal horn.
Question 6: Which balance component is primarily tested by the Romberg test?
- Vestibular and proprioceptive integration (Correct answer)
- Visual acuity
- Cerebellar coordination
- Motor strength
Correct answer: Vestibular and proprioceptive integration
The Romberg test assesses somatosensory and vestibular contributions to balance by removing the visual input (eyes closed).
Question 7: A patient with COPD is completing pulmonary rehabilitation. Target SpO2 during exercise should be maintained at a minimum of:
- 85%
- 88%
- 92% (Correct answer)
- 95%
Correct answer: 92%
Exercise should be modified or supplemental oxygen provided if SpO2 drops below 88–90%; 88% is the clinical threshold, but 92% is the safe exercise target.
NPTE-PT MCQ 3
Which cranial nerve is responsible for the gag reflex (afferent limb)?