NPTE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
You are testing a patient's deep tendon reflexes during an evaluation for low back pain in
outpatient physical therapy. Which of the following is MOST likely to be consistent with a false
negative patellar reflex?
A. 2+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
B. 1+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed S1 nerve root syndrome
C. 3+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
D. 2+ reflex and the patient does not have L4 nerve root syndrome - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅A. 2+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
2+ reflexes are considered normal according to the reflex grading system. A false negative
indicates that the test is normal but the patient has pathology. The correct answer states that the
reflexes are normal but the patient has a pathology that affects the L4 nerve root.
A PT examines a pt complaining of tingling into the 4th and 5th digits with muscle wasting over
the hypothenar eminence. The PT suspects ulnar neuropathy and decides to examine the integrity
of the nerve. Which of the following testing procedures would be the best?
A. Have the pt flex both wrists while holding them for one minute
B. Have the pt make a fist around the thumb and perform ulnar deviation
C. Have the pt grasp a piece of paper between their first and second fingers while the examiner
pulls the paper and monitors the first finger
D. Have the pt perform extension of the 3rd digit of the hand against examiner resistance -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅C. Have the pt grasp a piece of paper between their first and
second fingers while the examiner pulls the paper and monitors the first finger
This is a test for the Froment's sign which checks the ulnar nerve. If the pt flexes their thumb
when resisting the pull they may have a problem with the ulnar nerve.
,A 48-year-old male patient reports of SOB and swelling in LE's. During the baseline
examination, the PT examines patient's heart sounds before starting an exercise program. Which
valve is being auscultated at #5 in the picture?
A. Tricuspid valve
B. Pulmonary valve
C. Mitral valve
D. Aortic valve - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅C. Mitral valve
"All Physical Therapists Make $2245 per week"
Aortic- 2nd intercostal on R
Pulmonary- 2nd intercostal on L
Tricuspid- 4th intercostal on L
Mitral- 5th intercostal on L
A low back pain patient's Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score was 18 points. Four weeks
later, the score was 50 points. Which of the following is the BEST option for the physical
therapist?
A. Continue PT until the pt returns to a score of 60
B. Discharge the pt as there is an improvement
C. Document the improvement and start HEP
D. Ask the pt to have a physician consult - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅D. Ask the pt to have
a physician consult
The higher the score, the more disability they have. So this patient has worsened over the last 4
weeks.
,A 44 y/o female pt arrived to a clinic after sustaining a fall involving a hand/wrist injury. Upon
examination, the PT observed the radius dislocated in a volar direction. Which of the following
conditions would MOST likely match this description?
A. Smith's Fx
B. Colle's Fx
C. Scaphoid Fx
D. Dinner fork deformity - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A. Smith's Fx
Colle's Fx- the radius goes in the DORSAL direction
Dinner fork deformity- this is another name for Colle's Fx
A PT is evaluating a 34 y/o female pt with a vague diagnosis of LBP. The pt displays a positive
Thomas test. Which sub phase of the gait cycle will MOST likely show limitation in the hip
ROM?
A. Loading response
B. Initial contact
C. Midstance
D. Terminal stance - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅D. Terminal stance
The hip flexors will try to stop the hip from going into extension
A pt arrived at an outpatient clinic with chief c/o LBP. Upon further evaluation, the pt mentioned
taking calcium channel blockers. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY accurate regarding
the medication effect on the cardiovascular system?
A. Constrict coronary blood vessels
B. Dilates coronary blood vessels
C. Activates coronary vasospasms
, D. No effect towards coronary vasospasms - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅B. Dilates
coronary blood vessels
C and D- calcium channel blockers INHIBIT coronary vasospasms
Which of the following is NOT an expected sign seen in a pt with facial nerve (CN VII) palsy?
A. Hyperacusis
B. Absence of sensation in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
C. Absence of corneal reflex
D. Decrease lacrimation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅B. Absence of sensation in the
anterior 2/3 of the tongue
Rationale: Sensation in anterior 2/3 of the tongue is by the trigeminal nerve and not the facial
nerve. Facial nerve is for TASTE on anterior 2/3 of the tongue.
A- defined as the collapsed tolerance to normal environmental sounds. Facial nerve controls the
excessive movements of the stapedius bone and dampens the sound and its injury can cause
hyperacusis.
A 60 y/o male pt c/o a shock-like and stabbing sensation running through his jaw line which has
become frequent and excruciating lately. He says that the episodes occur usually when he goes
out in cold weather or when shaving or brushing his teeth. The therapist suspect a possible
cranial nerve inflammation. What is the suspected condition and the cranial nerve affected?
A. Bell's palsy; CN 7
B. Trigeminal Neuralgia; CN 7
C. Bell's palsy; CN 5
D. Trigeminal neuralgia; CN 5 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅D. Trigeminal neuralgia; CN 5
ANSWERS
You are testing a patient's deep tendon reflexes during an evaluation for low back pain in
outpatient physical therapy. Which of the following is MOST likely to be consistent with a false
negative patellar reflex?
A. 2+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
B. 1+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed S1 nerve root syndrome
C. 3+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
D. 2+ reflex and the patient does not have L4 nerve root syndrome - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅A. 2+ reflex and the patient has a confirmed L4 nerve root syndrome
2+ reflexes are considered normal according to the reflex grading system. A false negative
indicates that the test is normal but the patient has pathology. The correct answer states that the
reflexes are normal but the patient has a pathology that affects the L4 nerve root.
A PT examines a pt complaining of tingling into the 4th and 5th digits with muscle wasting over
the hypothenar eminence. The PT suspects ulnar neuropathy and decides to examine the integrity
of the nerve. Which of the following testing procedures would be the best?
A. Have the pt flex both wrists while holding them for one minute
B. Have the pt make a fist around the thumb and perform ulnar deviation
C. Have the pt grasp a piece of paper between their first and second fingers while the examiner
pulls the paper and monitors the first finger
D. Have the pt perform extension of the 3rd digit of the hand against examiner resistance -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅C. Have the pt grasp a piece of paper between their first and
second fingers while the examiner pulls the paper and monitors the first finger
This is a test for the Froment's sign which checks the ulnar nerve. If the pt flexes their thumb
when resisting the pull they may have a problem with the ulnar nerve.
,A 48-year-old male patient reports of SOB and swelling in LE's. During the baseline
examination, the PT examines patient's heart sounds before starting an exercise program. Which
valve is being auscultated at #5 in the picture?
A. Tricuspid valve
B. Pulmonary valve
C. Mitral valve
D. Aortic valve - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅C. Mitral valve
"All Physical Therapists Make $2245 per week"
Aortic- 2nd intercostal on R
Pulmonary- 2nd intercostal on L
Tricuspid- 4th intercostal on L
Mitral- 5th intercostal on L
A low back pain patient's Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score was 18 points. Four weeks
later, the score was 50 points. Which of the following is the BEST option for the physical
therapist?
A. Continue PT until the pt returns to a score of 60
B. Discharge the pt as there is an improvement
C. Document the improvement and start HEP
D. Ask the pt to have a physician consult - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅D. Ask the pt to have
a physician consult
The higher the score, the more disability they have. So this patient has worsened over the last 4
weeks.
,A 44 y/o female pt arrived to a clinic after sustaining a fall involving a hand/wrist injury. Upon
examination, the PT observed the radius dislocated in a volar direction. Which of the following
conditions would MOST likely match this description?
A. Smith's Fx
B. Colle's Fx
C. Scaphoid Fx
D. Dinner fork deformity - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅A. Smith's Fx
Colle's Fx- the radius goes in the DORSAL direction
Dinner fork deformity- this is another name for Colle's Fx
A PT is evaluating a 34 y/o female pt with a vague diagnosis of LBP. The pt displays a positive
Thomas test. Which sub phase of the gait cycle will MOST likely show limitation in the hip
ROM?
A. Loading response
B. Initial contact
C. Midstance
D. Terminal stance - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅D. Terminal stance
The hip flexors will try to stop the hip from going into extension
A pt arrived at an outpatient clinic with chief c/o LBP. Upon further evaluation, the pt mentioned
taking calcium channel blockers. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY accurate regarding
the medication effect on the cardiovascular system?
A. Constrict coronary blood vessels
B. Dilates coronary blood vessels
C. Activates coronary vasospasms
, D. No effect towards coronary vasospasms - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅B. Dilates
coronary blood vessels
C and D- calcium channel blockers INHIBIT coronary vasospasms
Which of the following is NOT an expected sign seen in a pt with facial nerve (CN VII) palsy?
A. Hyperacusis
B. Absence of sensation in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
C. Absence of corneal reflex
D. Decrease lacrimation - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅B. Absence of sensation in the
anterior 2/3 of the tongue
Rationale: Sensation in anterior 2/3 of the tongue is by the trigeminal nerve and not the facial
nerve. Facial nerve is for TASTE on anterior 2/3 of the tongue.
A- defined as the collapsed tolerance to normal environmental sounds. Facial nerve controls the
excessive movements of the stapedius bone and dampens the sound and its injury can cause
hyperacusis.
A 60 y/o male pt c/o a shock-like and stabbing sensation running through his jaw line which has
become frequent and excruciating lately. He says that the episodes occur usually when he goes
out in cold weather or when shaving or brushing his teeth. The therapist suspect a possible
cranial nerve inflammation. What is the suspected condition and the cranial nerve affected?
A. Bell's palsy; CN 7
B. Trigeminal Neuralgia; CN 7
C. Bell's palsy; CN 5
D. Trigeminal neuralgia; CN 5 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅D. Trigeminal neuralgia; CN 5
