Pediatric Physical Therapy Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pediatric Physical Therapy flashcards as text
A physical therapist is assessing a 10-month-old child who cannot sit independently. According to normal developmental milestones, this finding is:
Answer: Delayed, as independent sitting typically occurs by 6-8 months
Independent sitting typically develops between 6-8 months, so inability to sit independently at 10 months represents a gross motor delay requiring further evaluation.
Which standardized assessment tool is MOST appropriate for evaluating gross and fine motor development in a 6-month-old infant?
Answer: Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, 2nd Edition (PDMS-2)
The PDMS-2 is normed from birth through 5 years and assesses both gross and fine motor skills, making it the most appropriate tool for a 6-month-old infant.
A child with cerebral palsy is classified as GMFCS Level III. Which functional description BEST applies to this child?
Answer: Walks using a hand-held mobility device indoors and uses wheeled mobility for longer community distances
GMFCS Level III describes children who walk with a hand-held assistive device indoors but rely on wheeled mobility for longer distances or uneven terrain.
A physical therapist evaluates a premature infant born at 28 weeks gestation who is now 4 months old (chronological age). When assessing developmental milestones, the therapist should use:
Answer: Corrected age of approximately 1 month
Corrected age = chronological age minus weeks premature; born at 28 weeks is 12 weeks (3 months) premature, yielding a corrected age of approximately 1 month.
Which of the following NORMALLY persists beyond 6 months of age in a neurologically intact infant?
Answer: Parachute (protective extension) reflex
The parachute reflex emerges around 6-9 months and remains present throughout life as a protective postural response; the Moro, ATNR, and STNR all integrate by 4-6 months.
A child with Down syndrome is referred for PT evaluation. Which musculoskeletal finding is MOST commonly expected?
Answer: Ligamentous laxity and generalized hypotonia
Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is characteristically associated with generalized hypotonia and ligamentous laxity, contributing to delayed motor milestones and joint instability.
An 18-month-old child demonstrates consistent toe-walking bilaterally with no history of prematurity. The MOST appropriate FIRST clinical step is to:
Answer: Assess for spasticity, calf muscle tightness, and neurological signs to identify the underlying cause
A thorough assessment to differentiate idiopathic toe-walking from neurological causes such as cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorder must precede any intervention.