NPTE Clinical Files | Physical Therapy

Bellie presents with persistent bilateral lower extremity swelling that worsens throughout the day. The therapist is selecting an intervention to assist with fluid return. Which of the following interventions would MOST effectively assist with this goal?A) Maintaining the lower extremities in a gravity-dependent positionB) Diaphragmatic breathingC) Sustained isometric contraction of the upper extremitiesD) Passive trunk rotation in supineJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Dr. Rice evaluates a patient with a chief complaint of mid-thoracic pain radiating around the left lateral rib cage. The patient reports symptoms worsen with deep breathing and coughing, but are not reproduced with spinal movement, rib mobilization, or palpation. Neurological screening is unremarkable. Which of the following structures is MOST likely referring pain to this region?A) Thoracic facet joint dysfunctionB) Intercostal muscle strainC) The pleuraD) The pancreashttp://www.nptecheatsheets.com

Carmen is performing a special test on her patient. The test has a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 30%. The patient tests negative. What is the BEST interpretation?A) The condition is unlikely presentB) The condition is likely presentC) The test confirms the diagnosisD) The test has low false negativesJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Elena presents with significant muscle atrophy in the lower extremities, fasciculations of the gastrocnemius, and a 1+ Achilles tendon reflex. During gait, the patient demonstrates a "slapping" foot strike. These signs are MOST indicative of: A) A lesion in the corticospinal tractB) An injury to the cerebellumC) Compression of the posterior columns D) A lesion in the anterior horn cellsJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Yesenia is a 37-year-old patient with lumbar disc herniation who reports pain radiating to the posterior thigh. During treatment, repeated lumbar extension causes leg pain to resolve but increases central low back discomfort. Which intervention is MOST appropriate to continue?A) Discontinue extension due to increased lumbar painB) Progress lumbar flexion exercises to reduce spinal compressionC) Continue repeated lumbar extension within toleranceD) Introduce hamstring stretching to reduce neural tensionJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.comDownload my lumbar spine intervention cheatsheet: www.nptecheatsheet.com/lumbar-treat

Benito, a patient with a right transfemoral amputation, demonstrates circumduction of the prosthetic limb during the swing phase. Which of the following prosthetic causes is MOST likely contributing to this deviation?A) Insufficient socket flexionB) Socket is excessively abductedC) Knee friction is too lowD) Foot is set too posteriorlyJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Victor is a 12-year-old male who presents with a limp and groin pain. The hip rests in external rotation, and hip flexion produces obligatory external rotation. Which of the following should the physical therapist initiate FIRST?A) Begin hip strengthening and gait trainingB) Stretch hip internal rotators and adductorsC) Make the patient non–weight bearing and refer urgentlyD) Initiate aquatic therapy for pain-free ROMJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Belsnickel is a 63-year-old male who presents with right-sided facial paralysis, inability to abduct the right eye, and an absent corneal blink reflex on the right. Sensation to the face is intact. These findings are MOST consistent with a lesion affecting which of the following cranial nerves?A) Cranial nerve V, VIB) Cranial nerve VIC) Cranial nerve VI, VIID) Cranial nerve II, VIJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Juvelyn shows an impaired corneal reflex, loss of facial sensation, and difficulty chewing on the right side. Which of the following is MOST likely impaired?A) Difficulty chewing on the leftB) Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) test on the rightC) Jaw jerk testD) SwallowingUse PTH020 to get 20% off the 90-day Truelearn Subscription: www.truelearn.comDownload my quick cranial nerves cheatsheet: www.nptecheatsheet.com/cranial

Hallie presents with bilateral anterior knee pain and an in-toeing gait. Craig’s test reveals 10° of femoral anteversion on both sides. Which of the following special tests is MOST appropriate to further assess the cause of the in-toeing?A) FABER testB) Tibial torsion testC) Q-angle measurementD) Thomas testJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Lionel has a past medical history of hypertension and has been referred to physical therapy for generalized fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance. During the session, the therapist notes mild bilateral lower extremity edema. Which of the following medications is MOST likely contributing to these findings?A) LisinoprilB) FurosemideC) AmlodipineD) MetoprololJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Faith is a 65-year-old female recovering from hip replacement surgery and presents with mild calf swelling and tenderness. Based on Virchow’s Triad, which of the following is the LEAST likely contributing factor to her symptoms?A) Endothelial injuryB) Stasis of blood flowC) HypercoagulabilityD) Arterial insufficiencyJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.comDownload my unfamiliar terms cheatsheet: www.nptecheatsheet.com/unfamiliar-terms

Skye is a soccer player who reports intermittent knee locking and joint line pain following a twisting injury 2 weeks ago. The McMurray test reproduces pain with a click. Which additional clinical finding would MOST support the suspected diagnosis?A) Positive Pivot shift test B) Negative Clarke’s testC) Positive Thessaly test at 20° flexionD) Pain with valgus stress testingJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Brittinie presents with difficulty pushing up from a chair, weakness with shoulder extension and adduction, and no significant sensory deficits. She recently underwent axillary lymph node dissection following surgery for breast cancer. Which of the following peripheral nerves is MOST likely injured?A) Axillary nerveB) Thoracodorsal nerveC) Long thoracic nerveD) Radial nerveJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Betty is a 45-year-old female who presents to physical therapy with complaints of pelvic pain, urinary frequency, and urgency without signs of infection. She reports symptoms worsening after prolonged sitting and during high-impact exercises. Which intervention is MOST appropriate to address her condition?A) Pelvic floor muscle strengthening with biofeedbackB) Bladder retraining and dietary modificationC) Myofascial release for the pelvic floorD) Core strengthening exercises to improve pelvic stabilityJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Josue recommends a prolonged warm-up for a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy before initiating aerobic exercise. Which of the following is the MOST likely rationale for this recommendation?A) To increase left ventricular filling timeB) To prevent sudden increases in heart rateC) To increase myocardial oxygen consumptionD) To enhance stroke volume during exerciseDOWNLOAD THIS EPISODE'S CHEATSHEET:www.nptecheatsheet.com/hyper-heart

Bill presents with early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and reports mild lower extremity weakness and occasional tripping when walking on uneven surfaces. Which intervention is MOST appropriate to address his current functional mobility?A) Prescribe a wheelchair for energy conservationB) Provide ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) to prevent foot dropC) Initiate high-intensity strength training for lower extremitiesD) Recommend a walker to improve stabilityJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com

Aiyana is an office worker with chronic low back pain who is referred to physical therapy. During a core stability assessment, the patient demonstrates difficulty maintaining a neutral pelvis while lifting one leg in a hook-lying position. Which muscle is MOST likely underperforming?A) IliopsoasB) Erector SpinaeC) Quadratus lumborumD) Rectus abdominisTEXT OUR TEAM:(727) 732-4573

Leilani is an athlete who reports muscle cramps, fasciculations in the legs, and fatigue during prolonged training sessions. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of her symptoms?A) Steroid abuseB) Inadequate caloric intakeC) HypervolemiaD) HyponatremiaDOWNLOAD THIS EPISODE'S CHEATSHEET:www.nptecheatsheet.com/electrolyte

Zayden presents with well-defined, raised plaques on the extensor surfaces of his elbows and knees. The lesions are covered with silvery scales, and he reports occasional itching and no systemic symptoms. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?A) Atopic dermatitisB) Psoriasis vulgarisC) Tinea corporisD) Lichen planusJoin the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com