NPTE Clinical Files | Physical Therapy

Chimezie is performing an initial examination of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patient’s most recent hemoglobin A1C is 6.7%. During inspection of the right foot, the therapist observes a small ulcer on the plantar surface beneath the fifth metatarsal head. The patient reports progressively limiting walking activities because of discomfort in the involved foot. Which of the following...

Sando is a 4-month-old infant receiving physical therapy for right congenital muscular torticollis. The physical therapist notes improved cervical alignment, increased tolerance to prone positioning, and improved active midline head control. Which of the following goals would be MOST appropriate to include in the patient's plan of care? A) Restore left cervical rotation passive ROM B) Restore...

LeMarcus is a 42-year-old recreational runner who reports progressive anterior hip discomfort after increasing mileage over the past 2 months. Examination reveals: * Hip flexion ROM: 125° * Hip extension ROM is limited compared to the uninvolved side * Positive Thomas test * Negative Ely’s test * Hip flexor strength: 5/5 * Hip extensor strength: 5/5 * Negative FABER test Which of the following act...

Garret is a 30-year-old patient who was hospitalized 3 days ago after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. During examination, the patient is able to perform repeated seated marches without difficulty. However, the therapist notes impaired sensation in a glove-and-stocking distribution and difficulty with heel- and toe-walking. The therapist decides to assess the hip flexor deep tendon re...

Ulises presents with intermittent upper extremity paresthesia reproduced with overhead activity. Examination reveals an elevated first rib on the involved side without reports of soft tissue tenderness. Which of the following mobilization techniques is MOST appropriate? A) Large-amplitude oscillations performed into tissue resistance B) Small-amplitude oscillations performed into tissue resistance...

Brendaisha is a physical therapist who becomes concerned about a colleague who previously completed rehabilitation for substance abuse. Over the past several weeks, the colleague has demonstrated increasing tardiness, reduced attention during patient care, and episodes of excessive drowsiness while completing documentation. No direct evidence of substance use has been observed, and no adverse pati...

A physical therapist is mentoring a student physical therapist during an outpatient orthopedic clinical rotation. The therapist plans to administer therapeutic ultrasound using the following parameters: * 3 MHz frequency * 20% pulsed duty cycle * 0.5 W/cm² intensity * 6-minute treatment duration Which of the following patients should NOT receive this treatment? A) A 14-year-old basketball player w...

Harry presents with a right-sided posterolateral disc herniation at L5-S1 and demonstrates weakness associated with the involved nerve root. Which of the following gait deviations is MOST likely? A) Diminished propulsion during terminal stance B) Increased plantarflexion following initial contact C) Contralateral pelvic drop during stance D) Genu recurvatum during stance Join the FREE Facebook Gro...

Jason is a patient with peripheral vascular disease who presents with a lower leg wound containing dry, adherent slough and minimal exudate. The wound bed appears desiccated, and the surrounding skin is fragile but intact. Which of the following interventions is MOST appropriate? A) Transparent film B) Hydrocolloid C) Impregnated gauze D) Amorphous hydrogel Join the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegr...

Petey is 4 weeks status post ACL reconstruction with a semitendinosus autograft and partial meniscectomy. Which of the following interventions is LEAST appropriate at this time? A) Quad sets held in knee extension B) Mini squats to 45 degrees C) Resisted knee flexion with a 3-lb ankle weight in prone D) Sidelying straight leg raises Join the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com Use PTH020 to get...

Alynne is a woman who reports fatigue, intermittent joint pain, and a recurrent facial rash that becomes worse after spending time in the sun. Examination reveals a rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks that spares the nasolabial folds. Which of the following conditions is MOST likely? A) Psoriasis B) Systemic lupus erythematosus C) Eczema D) Rosacea Join the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegro...

Mila reports a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by leakage before reaching the bathroom. The patient voids frequently throughout the day and wakes multiple times at night to urinate. Pelvic floor strength is 4/5, and there is no leakage with coughing or sneezing. Which of the following interventions is MOST appropriate for the treatment of this patient? A) Pelvic floor strengthening with m...

Mackenzie presents to physical therapy following a stroke affecting the basal ganglia. The patient exhibits bradykinesia and difficulty initiating movements. Which of the following interventions would be MOST effective in addressing these impairments? A) Rhythmic auditory stimulation B) High-resistance strength training C) Visual cueing during gait training D) Balance exercises using an unstable s...

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 position B) Diaphragmatic breathing C) Sustained isometric contraction of the upper e...

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 face...

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 present B) The condition is likely present C) The test confirms the diagnosis D) The test has low false negatives Join 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 tract B) An injury to the cerebellum C) Compression of the posterior columns D) A lesion in the anterior horn cell...

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 pain B) Progress lumbar flexion exercises to reduce spinal compression C)...

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 flexion B) Socket is excessively abducted C) Knee friction is too low D) Foot is set too posteriorly Join 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 training B) Stretch hip internal rotators and adductors C) Make the patient non–weight bearing and refer urgently D) Initiate aquatic...

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, VI B) Cranial nerve VI C) Cranial nerve VI, VII D) Cranial nerve II, VI Join the FRE...

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 left B) Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) test on the right C) Jaw jerk test D) Swallowing Use PTH020 to get 20% off the 90-day Truelearn Subscription: www.truelearn.com Download my quick cranial nerves cheatshe...

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 test B) Tibial torsion test C) Q-angle measurement D) Thomas test Join 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) Lisinopril B) Furosemide C) Amlodipine D) Metoprolol Join the FREE Facebook Group: www.np...

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 injury B) Stasis of blood flow C) Hypercoagulability D) Arterial insufficiency Join the FREE Facebook Group: www.nptegroup.com Download my unfamiliar terms...