MCQ 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 MCQ flashcards as text
A patient with Parkinson's disease demonstrates festinating gait. Which characteristic BEST describes this pattern?
Answer: Progressively quickening, short, shuffling steps with forward trunk lean
Festination in Parkinson's disease is characterized by progressively accelerating short shuffling steps with the center of mass falling forward of the base of support.
Which muscle is the primary mover for scapular upward rotation during shoulder elevation?
Answer: Serratus anterior and lower trapezius acting as a force couple
Scapular upward rotation is produced by the force couple of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior working together.
A PT is treating a patient under a state that allows direct access. The patient presents with signs of deep vein thrombosis. What is the MOST appropriate action?
Answer: Immediately refer to or consult with a physician
DVT is a medical emergency; the PT must immediately refer to or consult with a physician before any physical therapy intervention.
Which phase of the normal gait cycle occupies approximately 60% of the total cycle?
Answer: Stance phase
The stance phase (from initial contact to toe off) constitutes approximately 60% of the normal gait cycle at comfortable walking speed.
A patient with a right CVA presents with left neglect. During ADL training, what is the BEST initial strategy?
Answer: Train the patient to actively scan to the left side
Training the patient to actively scan toward the neglected side is the primary treatment strategy for unilateral spatial neglect.
Which outcome measure uses a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) as a primary functional assessment in patients with cardiopulmonary conditions?
Answer: Distance walked as a measure of functional exercise capacity
The 6MWT measures the distance a patient walks in 6 minutes, providing a valid, reliable measure of submaximal functional exercise capacity.
A therapist uses proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hold-relax technique. Which neurophysiological mechanism is primarily utilized?
Answer: Autogenic inhibition via Golgi tendon organ (Ib afferents)
Hold-relax uses an isometric contraction of the tight muscle followed by relaxation, which activates the GTO and triggers autogenic inhibition to allow greater ROM.