1) A physical therapist working on an oncology unit reviews the medical chart of a

patient prior to initiating an exercise program. The patient’s cell counts are as
follows: hematocrit 24 ml/dL, white blood cells 2,500 x 103 mm3, platelet
80,000 mm3, hemoglobin 7 gm/dL. Based on the patient’s blood counts, which
of the following would be the most accurate statement regarding the patient’s
allowable exercise level?
a. no exercise is allowed
b. light exercise is allowed
c. active exercise is allowed
d. resistive exercise is allowed

2) A patient employed in a machine shop is referred to physical therapy with a

diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient indicates that he is scheduled
for a diagnostic test that may help to confirm the diagnosis. Which of the
following electrodiagnostic tests would be the most appropriate?
a. electroencephalography
b. evoked potentials
c. nerve conduction velocity
d. electromyography

3) A physical therapist assesses a one-month-old infant. During the treatment

session the therapist strokes the cheek of the infant causing the infant to turn its
mouth towards the stimulus. This action is utilized to assess the
a. Moro reflex
b. rooting reflex
c. startle reflex
d. righting reflex

4) A physical therapist works with a patient status post stroke on a mat program.
The therapist assists the patient in lateral weight shifting activities while
positioned in prone on elbows. Which therapeutic exercise technique would
allow the patient to improve dynamic stability with this activity?
a. alternating isometrics
b. approximation
c. rhythmic initiation
d. timing for emphasis

5) A physical therapist examines the gait of a 62-year-old male with peripheral

neuropathy. The therapist observes that the patient’s right foot has a tendency
to slap the ground during the loading response. The observation can best be
explained by weakness of the
a. iliopsoas
b. tibialis anterior
 c. tibialis posterior
d. gastrocnemius

6) 2. A 59 year-old ex-machinist demonstrates significant age-related hearing loss,

presbycusis. When trying to communicate with this patient you would NOT
suspect:
a. A. Bilateral hearing loss, at all frequencies since he has had this problem
for a number of years.
b. B. Decreased language comprehension.
c. C. Poor auditory discrimination
d. D. unilateral hearing loss.
7) 6. Your examination reveals muscle spasms of the deep hip rotators, which are
compressing the sciatic nerve and producing pain in the posterior hip region.
The MOST effective setting of ultrasound in this case is:
a. A. 1 MHz continuous at 1.0 W/cm2.
b. B. 1 MHz pulsed at 1.0 W/cm2.
c. C. 3 MHz continuous at 1.0 W/cm2.
d. D. 3 MHz pulsed at 1.0 W/cm2.

8) 11. An appropriate fine motor behavior that should be established by 9 months

of age would be the ability to:
a. A. build a tower of 4 blocks.
b. B. hold a cup by the handle while drinking.
c. C. pick up a raisin with a fine pincer grasp.
d. D. Transfer objects from one hand to another.

9) 27. You are a home therapist treating a patient who underwent a total hip
replacement four weeks ago. You notice that the patient arches his lumbar spine
in supine. He states that it is uncomfortable and doesn’t remember having the
problem before. The patient is unable to maintain a comfortable supine position
due to:
a. A. Poor abdominal strength.
b. B. Tight hamstrings muscles.
c. C. Tight iliopsoas muscle.
d. D. Tight piriformis muscle.
10) 32. A patient with a purulent venous insufficiency ulcer near the left medial
malleolus is seen at home by a physical therapist. The MOST important
goal/intervention for the therapist to try to achieve with this patient is:
a. A. elastic wraps and daily exercise.
b. B. daily warm water baths and exercise
c. C. daily walking for 30-60 minutes
d. D. compression therapy with exercises.

11) 34. With a traction injury to the anterior division of the brachial plexus you
would expect to see weakness of the elbow flexors, wrist flexors and forearm
pronators. You would also expect to find additional weakness in:
a. A. forearm supination.
b. B. lateral rotation of the shoulder.
c. C. thumb abduction.
d. D. wrist extension.

12) 36. A 72 year-old woman is being treated for depression following the death of
her husband. She is currently taking antidepressant medication (tricyclics) and
has a recent history of a fall. You suspect the precipitating cause of the fall can
be attributed to side effects of her medication resulting in:
a. A. Cardiac arrhythmias
b. B. Dyspnea.
c. C. hyperalertness.
d. D. Postural hypotension

13) 37. An 82 year-old patient and his caregivers should understand the common
side effects of the medication that he is taking. He is continually in and out of
congestive heart failure and has been taking digitalis (Digoxin) to improve his
heart function. You will know he and his caregivers understand the adverse side
effects of this medication if they tell you they will contact the patient’s
physician if he demonstrates:
a. A. confusion and memory loss.
b. B. Involuntary movements and shaking.
c. C. Slowed heart rate.
d. D. Weakness and palpitations
14) 45. A 92 year-old woman presents with hot, red, and edematous skin over the
shins of both lower extremities. She also has a mild fever. The MOST likely
cause of her symptoms is:
a. A. Cellulitis.
b. B. Dermatitis
c. C. Herpes simplex infection.
d. D. Scleroderma.

15) 46. A 10 year-old presents with pain (4/10) and limited knee ROM (5/95degree)
following surgical repair of the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate
ligaments. In this case, The modality which can be used with precaution is:
a. A. premodulated interferential current.
b. B. continuous shortwave diathermy.
c. C. high rate transcutaneous electrical stimulation.
d. D. low dose Ultrasound.

16) 47. a weight lifter exhibits marked hypertrophy after embarking on a strength
training regime. Hypertrophy can be expected to occur following at least:
a. A. 1-2 weeks of training.
b. B. 2-3 weeks of training
c. C. 3-4 weeks of training
d. D. 6-8 weeks of training.

17) 48. A diagnosis of bicipital tendinitis has been made following an evaluation of
a patient with shoulder pain. The BEST shoulder position to expose the tendon
of the long head of the biceps for application of phonophoresis would be:
a. A. Abduction.
b. B. external/lateral rotation and extension.
c. C. Horizontal adduction.
d. D. internal/medial rotation and abduction

18) 53. An older person with diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) should
recognize the symptoms of exertional intolerance. You will know this client is
properly informed if she can tell you these symptoms are:
a. A. dizziness, visual blurring especially with turns and quick movements.
b. B. Overwhelming weakness with difficulty in standing up and walking.
c. C. Severe, uncomfortable chest pain with shortness of breath.
 d. D. Shortness of breath at rest and with limited activity, and sudden weight
gain

19) 56. A physical therapy plan of care for a newborn with Erb-Klumpke Palsy
would NOT include:
a. A. Age appropriate movements of the upper extremity.
b. B. Gentle ROM after immobilization.
c. C. Partial immobilization of limb across abdomen.
d. D. Splinting the shoulder in abduction and internal rotation.
20) 57. A six month-old child was referred to physical therapy for right torticollis.
The MOST effective method to stretch the muscle is by positioning the head
and neck into:
a. A. extension, left side-bending, and right rotation.
b. B. extension, right side-bending, and left rotation.
c. C. flexion, left side-bending, and left rotation.
d. D. Flexion, right side-bending, and left rotation.

21) 60. A patient is recovering from stroke and demonstrates good recovery in his
lower extremity (out-of-synergy movement control). Timing deficits are
apparent during gait. Isokinetic training can be used to improve:
a. A. initiation of movement.
b. B. rate control at varying movement speeds.
c. C. rate control at slow movement speeds.
d. D. both reaction and movement times.

22) 77. A 62 year-old patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmonary
test results include all of the following except increased:
a. A. Functional residual capacity.
b. B. Residual volume.
c. C. Total lung capacity.
d. D. FEV1/FVC ratio.

23) 84. A patient who is 3 months post CVA is being treated in physical therapy for
adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder, Today, the patient complains of new
symptoms including burning pain in the right upper extremity that is increased
by the dependent position along with lowered pain threshold and heightened
sensitivity to light touch. The right hand is mildly edematous and the skin is dry
and warm to touch. The intervention that should be AVOIDED in this case:
 a. A. Stress loading activities with weight bearing in the affected limb.
b. B. Passive manipulation of the shoulder.
c. C. Positional elevation, compression, and gentle massage.
d. D. Active assistive ROM exercises of the shoulder

24) 85. To prepare a patient with an incomplete T12 paraplegia for ambulation with
crutches, the upper quadrant muscles that would be MOST important to
strengthen include the:
a. A. deltoid, triceps, and wrist flexors.
b. B. lower trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and triceps.
c. C. Middle trapezius, latissimus, dorsi and triceps.
d. D. Upper trapezius, rhomboids, and levator scapulae.

25) 86. A 72 year-old is recovering at home from a myocardial infarction and

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The physical therapist, decide
to use pulse oximetry to monitor his responses to exercise and activity. An
acceptable oxygen saturation rate (SaO2) to maintain throughout the exercise
period is:
a. A. 82%.
b. B. 75%.
c. C. 92%.
d. D. 85%.

26) 95. A 34 year-old female in her second trimester of pregnancy was sent to
physical therapy with complaints of tingling and loss of strength in both of her
hands. Her symptoms are exacerbated if she is required to use her keyboard at
work for longer than 20 minutes. The MOST appropriate physical therapy
intervention would include:
a. A. Dexamethasone phonophoresis to the carpal tunnel.
b. B. Hydrocortisone iontophoresis to the volar surfaces of both wrists.
c. C. ice packs to the carpal tunnel.
d. D. Placing the wrists in resting splints.

27) 15. A patient presents with a large plantar ulcer that will be debrided in the
whirlpool. The foot is cold, pale, and painless. The condition that would most
likely result in this clinical presentation is:
a. A. Acute arterial insufficiency.
b. B. chronic arterial insufficiency.
 c. C. Chronic venous insufficiency.
d. D. Deep venous thrombosis.

28) Which of the following is not considered knee joint stabilizer?

a. A. Anterior cruciate ligament.
b. B. quadriceps muscle
c. C. popliteus muscle.
d. D. semitendinosus

29) Following major surgery of the right hip, a patient ambulates with a
Trendelenburg gait. Examination of the right hip reveals abductor weakness and
ROM limitations in flexion and external rotation. As a part of the intervention,
the therapist opts to include functional electrical stimulation to help improve the
gait pattern. Stimulation should be initiated for the :
a. A. Right abductors during swing on the right
b. B. Right abductors during stance on the right
c. C. Left abductors during stance on the right
d. D. Left abductors during swing on the right

30) 77. The problems associated with ankylosing spondylitis in its early stages can
best be managed in physical therapy by:
a. A. postural education.
b. B. stretching of scapular stabilizers.
c. C. Pain management
d. D. joint mobilization

31) 72. During a home visit you are providing postural drainage in the
Trendelenburg position to a 15 year-old male with cystic fibrosis. The patient
suddenly complains of right-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. On
auscultation, there are no breath sounds on the right. The physical therapist
should:
a. A. Call emergency medical technicians as it may be a pneumothorax.
b. B. Continue treating as it is possibly a mucous plug.
c. C. Place the right lung in a gravity dependent position to improve
perfusion.
d. D. Reposition patient in the head of bed flat position as Trendelenburg is
causing shortness of breath.
32) 69. A 48 year-old female has had a total knee replacement. Following surgery,
you place her on a regimen of continuous passive motion. One of the main
objectives in using CPM in this case is to facilitate:
a. A. Active knee extension.
b. B. Active knee flexion.
c. C. Active knee flexion.
d. D. passive knee flexion.

33) 65. As the result of blunt trauma to the quadriceps femoris muscle, a patient
experiences loss of knee function. Early PT interventions should stress:
a. A. Aggressive open-chain strengthening of the quadriceps femoris to
regain normal lower extremity strength.
b. B. Aggressive soft tissue stretching to remove blood which has
accumulated in soft tissues.
c. C. Gentle AROM exercises in weight bearing.
d. D. Gentle PROM exercises in nonweightbearing to regain normal knee
motion.
34) 61. A patient presents with problems with swallowing. When you test for
phonation by having the patient say “AH” with his mouth open, you notice there
is deviation of the uvula to one side. You then test for function of the gag reflex
and notice loss of response to stimulation. These findings suggest involvement
of the:
a. A. Facial nerve.
b. B. hypoglossal nerve.
c. C. trigeminal nerve.
d. D. vagus nerve.

35) 58. A patient with grade 2 quadriceps strain returns to physical therapy after his
first exercise session complaining of muscle soreness that developed later in the
evening and continued into the next day. He is unsure he wants to continue with
exercises. The therapist can minimize the possibility of this happening again by
using :
a. A. Concentric exercises, 3 sets of 10, at 80% of maximal intensity.
b. B. Concentric exercises, 3 sets of 10, with gradually increasing intensity.
c. C. Eccentric exercises, 1 set of 10, lifting body weight (sit-to-stand).
d. D. Eccentric exercises, 3 sets of 10, with gradually increasing intensity.
36) 57. A 24 year-old pregnant woman who is 12 weeks pregnant asks you if it is
safe to continue with her aerobic exercise. Currently she jogs 3 miles, 3 times a
week and has done so for the past 10 years. Your BEST answer is:
a. A. Continue jogging only until the 5th month of pregnancy.
b. B. jogging is safe at mild to moderate intensities while vigorous exercise
is contraindicated.
c. C. swimming is preferred over walking or jogging for all phases of
pregnancy.
d. D. jogging is safe as long as target HR does not exceed 140 beats/min.

37) 50. A 28 year-old patient has extensive full thickness burns to the dorsum of the
hand and forearm. He is to be fitted with a resting splint to support his wrists
and hands in a functional position. An appropriately constructed splint positions
the wrist and hand in:
a. A. neutral wrist position with IP extension and thumb flexion.
b. B. Neutral wrist position with slight finger flexion and thumb flexion.
c. C. slight wrist extension with fingers supported and thumb in partial
opposition and abduction.
d. D. Slight wrist flexion with IP extension and thumb opposition.

38) 40. A 52 year-old patient sustained a T10 spinal cord injury four years ago.
During initial examination you observe redness over the ischial seat that persists
for 10 minutes when not sitting. The BEST intervention in this case would be
to:
a. A. switch to a low density wheelchair foam cushion.
b. B. re-emphasize the need for sitting push-ups performed every 10 minutes.
c. C. Increase the wheelchair arm rest height which is adjustable.
39) D. switch to a tilt-in-space wheelchair

40) A patient presents with a large plantar ulcer that will be debrided in the
whirlpool. The foot is cold, pale, and painless. The condition that would most
likely result in this clinical presentation is:
a. A. Acute arterial insufficiency.
b. B. chronic arterial insufficiency.
c. C. Chronic venous insufficiency.
d. D. Deep venous thrombosis.
41) A patient is referred to physical therapy with a C6 nerve root injury. Which of
the following clinical findings would not be expected with this type of injury?
a. diminished sensation on the anterior arm and index finger
b. weakness in the biceps and supinator
c. diminished brachioradialis reflex
d. paresthesias of the long and ring fingers

42) A physical therapist completes a vertebral artery test on a patient diagnosed

with a cervical strain. Which component of the vertebral artery test is most
likely to assess the patency of the intervertebral foramen?
a. rotation
b. lateral flexion
c. flexion
d. extension

43) A 22-year-old male status posttraumatic brain injury receives physical therapy
services in a rehabilitation hospital. The patient is presently functioning at
Rancho Los Amigos Level VI. The patient has progressed well in therapy,
however, has been bothered by diplopia. Which treatment strategy would be the
most appropriate to address diplopia?
a. provide verbal and non-verbal instructions within the patient’s direct line
of sight
b. place a patch over one of the patient’s eyes
c. ask the patient to turn his head to one side when he experiences diplopia
d. instruct the patient to carefully focus on a single object

44) A physical therapist prepares a patient education program for an individual with
chronic venous insufficiency. Which of the following would not be appropriate
to include in the patient education program?
a. wear shoes that accommodate to the size and shape of your feet
b. observe your skin daily for breakdown
c. wear your compression stockings only at night
d. keep you feet elevated as much as possible throughout the day

45) A physical therapist prepares to perform manual vibration as a means of airway

clearance with a patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
When performing vibration the most appropriate form of manual contact over
the affected lung segment is
 a. contact with a cupped hand
b. contact with the entire palmar surface of the hand
c. contact with the ulnar border of the hand
d. contact with the distal phalanx of the middle finger

46) A patient rehabilitating from a radial head fracture is examined in physical

therapy. During the examination, the physical therapist notes that the patient
appears to have an elbow flexion contracture. Which of the following would
not serve as an appropriate active exercise technique to increase range of
motion?
a. contract-relax
b. hold-relax
c. maintained pressure
d. rhythmic stabilization

47) A physical therapist monitors a patient’s vital signs while exercising in a phase I
cardiac rehabilitation program. The patient status post myocardial infarction
and has progressed without difficulty while involved in the program. Which of
the following vital sign recordings would exceed the typical limits of a phase I
program?
a. heart rate elevated 18 beats per minute above resting level
b. respiration rate of 25 breaths per minute
c. systolic blood pressure decreases by 20 mmHg from resting level
d. diastolic blood pressure less than 100 mmHg

48) A physical therapist reviews the medical chart of a patient diagnosed with a
fracture of the lower thoracic spine. The chart indicates the patient has worn an
anterior control throacolumbar-sacral-orthosis (TLSO) for eight weeks. What is
the primary purpose of the anterior control TLSO?
a. prevent thoracic flexion
b. prevent thoracic extension
c. prevent lumbar flexion
d. prevent lumbar extension

49) A physician orders a nasogastric tube for a patient on an acute rehabilitation

unit. Which of the following does not accurately describe a potential use of the
nasogastric tube?
a. administer medications directly into the gastrointestinal tract
 b. obtain gastric specimens
c. remove fluid or gas from the stomach
d. obtain venous blood samples from the stomach

50) A physical therapist examines a patient diagnosed with post-polio syndrome.

Which of the following areas is the least likely to be affected based on the
patient’s diagnosis?
a. strength
b. sensation
c. endurance
d. functional mobility

51) A physician indicates that a patient rehabilitating from a cerebrovascular

accident has significant perceptual deficits. Which anatomical region would
most likely be affected by the stroke?
a. primary motor cortex
b. sensory cortex
c. basal ganglia
d. cerebellum

52) A physical therapist attempts to quantify the amount of assistance a patient

needs to complete a selected activity. Categories of assistance include maximal,
moderate, minimal, stand-by or independent. This type of measurement is best
classified as:
a. interval
b. nominal
c. ordinal
d. ratio

53) A physical therapist attempts to palpate the lunate by moving his finger
immediately distal to Lister’s tubercle. Which wrist motion will allow the
therapist to facilitate palpation of the lunate?
a. extension
b. flexion
c. radial deviation
d. ulnar deviation

54) A physical therapist reviews a physician’s examination of a patient scheduled

for physical therapy. The examination identifies excessive medial displacement
 of the elbow during ligamentous testing. Which ligament is typically involved
with medial instability of the elbow?
a. annular
b. radial collateral
c. ulnar collateral
d. volar radioulnar

55) A physical therapist identifies that an infant is unable to roll from prone to
supine. Which reflex could interfere with the infant’s ability to roll?
a. asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
b. Moro reflex
c. Galant reflex
56) symmetrical tonic neck reflex

57) A physical therapist designs an exercise program for a patient rehabilitating

from a lower extremity injury. The single most important factor in an exercise
program designed to increase muscular strength is:
a. the recovery time between exercise sets
b. the number of repetitions per set
c. the duration of the exercise session
d. the intensity of the exercise

58) A physical therapist prepares to administer the Berg Balance Scale to a patient
rehabilitating from a cerebrovascular accident. Which of the following tools is
considered a necessary piece of equi9pment when administering this outcome
measure?
a. reflex hammer
b. goniometer
c. stopwatch
d. stethoscopie

59) A physical therapist examines the foot of a 17-year-old female referred to

physical therapy with lower leg pain. After placing the foot in subtalar neutral
the therapist determines that the medial border of the foot along the first
metatarsal is higher than the lateral border of the foot along the fifth metatarsal.
This position would most appropriately be documented as:
a. forefoot varus
b. forefoot valgus
c. rearfoot varus
d. rearfoot valgus
60) A physical therapist attempts to obtain information on the ability of
noncontractile tissue to allow motion at a specific joint. Which selective tissue
tension assessment would provide the therapist with the most valuable
information?
a. active range of motion
b. active-assistive range of motion
c. passive range of motion
d. resisted isometrics

61) A physical therapist attempts to transfer a dependent patient from a wheelchair

to a bed. The therapist is concerned about the size of the patient, but is unable
to secure another staff member to assist with the transfer. Which type of
transfer would allow the therapist to move the patient with greatest ease?
a. dependent standing pivot
b. hydraulic lift
c. sliding board
d. assisted standing pivot

62) A physical therapist performs an examination on a 27-year-old male diagnosed

with iliotibial band syndrome. The patient is an avid distance runner who
routinely ran between 45-60 miles per week before experiencing pain in his
knee. Standing posture reveals a varus position at the knee and a cavus foot.
When palpating the lateral portion of the lower extremity, which area would you
most likely identify marked tenderness?
a. lateral femoral condyle
b. lateral joint line
c. lateral tibial condyle
d. fibular head

63) A physical therapist observing a patient complete a leg curl exercise notices two
prominent tendons visible on the posterior surface of the patient’s left knee.
The visible tendons are most likely associated with the
a. semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles.
b. semitendinosus and biceps femoris muscles
c. popliteus and semitendinosus muscles
d. semimembranosus and biceps femoris muscles

64) A physical therapist receives a referral for a two-month-old infant diagnosed

with osteogenesis imperfecta. After completing the examination, the therapist
discusses the physical therapy plan of care with the infant’s parents. The
primary goal of therapy should be
a. improve muscle strength and diminish tone
b. facilitate protected weight bearing
c. promote safe handling and positioning
d. diminish pulmonary secretions
65) A patient with hemiplegia ambulates with an ankle-foot orthosis. The physical
therapist notes that the patient’s involved foot frequently drags during the initial
swing phase of gait. To treat this problem most effectively the therapist should
emphasize
a. eccentric strengthening of the hamstrings
b. eccentric strengthening of the gluteus medius
c. concentric strengthening of the plantarflexors
d. concentric strengthening of the iliopsoas/rectus femoris

66) A physical therapist attempts to select an appropriate intervention to treat a

patient with a 10 degree limitation in knee extension. Which of the following
mobilization techniques would be indicated?
a. lateral glide of the patella
b. caudal glide of the patella
c. posterior glide of the tibia
d. anterior glide of the tibia

67) A note in a patient’s medical record indicates a specific drug is taken through
enteral administration. Which of the following is an example of enteral
administration?
a. inhalation
b. injection
c. topical
d. oral

68) A patient is positioned in supine with the hips flexed to 90 degrees and the
knees extended. As the patient slowly lowers her extended legs toward the
horizontal, there is an increase in lordosis of the low back. This finding is
indicative of weakness of the
a. hip flexors
b. back extensors
c. hip extensors
d. abdominals

69) A patient with a right radial head fracture is examined in physical therapy. The
patient’s involved elbow range of motion begins at 15 degrees of flexion and
ends at 90 degrees of flexion. The physical therapist should record the patient’s
elbow range of motion as:
a. 0-15-90
b. 15-0-90
c. 15-90
d. 0-90
70) A physical therapist performs the talar tilt test on a 22-year old female
rehabilitating from an inversion ankle sprain. Which ligament does the talar tilt
test examine?
a. anterior tibiofibular
b. calcaneofibular
c. deltoid
d. posterior tibiofibular

71) A physical therapist completes a developmental assessment on a 7-month old

infant. Assuming normal development, which of the following reflexes would
not be integrated?
a. asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
b. Moro reflex
c. Landau reflex
d. symmetrical tonic neck reflex

72) A 42-year old female is admitted to a rehabilitation hospital after sustaining a

stroke. During the examination the physical therapist identifies significant
sensory deficits in the anterolateral spinothalamic system. Which sensation
would be most affected?
a. barognosis
b. kinesthesia
c. graphesthesia
d. temperature

73) A 13-year-old female diagnosed with cerebral palsy is referred to physical

therapy. The patient exhibits slow, involuntary, continuous writhing
movements of the upper and lower extremities. This type of motor disturbance
is most representative of
a. spasticity
b. ataxia
c. hypotonia
d. athetosis

74) Navicular drop test check the integrity of which muscle?

a. Medial longitudinal arch (to assess the height of the navicular bone).