NPTE-PT Musculoskeletal System Examination 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a manual muscle test, a patient can move through full range of motion against gravity but fatigues with minimal resistance. What MMT grade is this?
- Grade 3
- Grade 4- (Correct answer)
- Grade 3+
- Grade 4
Correct answer: Grade 4-
Grade 4- (Fair+) indicates the patient tolerates minimal resistance through full ROM but cannot sustain it against moderate resistance.
Question 2: A patient presents with pain at the lateral epicondyle that worsens with resisted wrist extension and passive wrist flexion with elbow extended. Which structure is most likely involved?
- Flexor carpi radialis
- Extensor carpi radialis brevis (Correct answer)
- Supinator muscle
- Anconeus muscle
Correct answer: Extensor carpi radialis brevis
The extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) is the most commonly affected tendon in lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow).
Question 3: Which special test assesses the integrity of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)?
- Lachman test
- Posterior drawer test (Correct answer)
- McMurray test
- Valgus stress test
Correct answer: Posterior drawer test
The posterior drawer test assesses PCL integrity by applying a posterior-directed force to the proximal tibia with the knee at 90° flexion.
Question 4: A 55-year-old patient has pain with the FABER test, groin pain, and limited hip internal rotation. The most likely diagnosis is:
- Iliopsoas bursitis
- Hip osteoarthritis (Correct answer)
- Piriformis syndrome
- Femoroacetabular impingement
Correct answer: Hip osteoarthritis
Limited internal rotation, groin pain, and positive FABER test are classic signs of hip osteoarthritis due to capsular pattern restriction.
Question 5: When assessing scoliosis with the Adam's forward bend test, a positive result is indicated by:
- Lateral trunk shift during forward bending
- Rib hump or paraspinal prominence on one side (Correct answer)
- Increased lumbar lordosis during forward bending
- Pelvic obliquity when standing upright
Correct answer: Rib hump or paraspinal prominence on one side
A rib hump or paraspinal prominence during forward bending indicates rotational deformity consistent with structural scoliosis.
Question 6: The Ober test is used to assess tightness of which structure?
- Piriformis muscle
- Iliotibial band and tensor fascia latae (Correct answer)
- Hip flexor complex
- Adductor magnus
Correct answer: Iliotibial band and tensor fascia latae
The Ober test assesses the flexibility of the iliotibial band (IT band) and tensor fascia latae by observing hip adduction from a side-lying position.
Question 7: A patient with a C5-C6 disc herniation would MOST likely present with weakness in which movement?
- Wrist extension and elbow flexion (Correct answer)
- Finger flexion and wrist flexion
- Elbow extension and wrist flexion
- Intrinsic hand muscles
Correct answer: Wrist extension and elbow flexion
C5-C6 nerve roots innervate the biceps (elbow flexion) and wrist extensors; a herniation at this level typically impairs these movements.
NPTE-PT Musculoskeletal System Examination 2
During a manual muscle test, a patient can move through full range of motion against gravity but fatigues with minimal resistance.
What MMT grade is this?