DPT Pediatric Physical Therapy 2

Question 1

A 6-month-old infant presents with persistent head tilt to the right and facial asymmetry. Which intervention is most appropriate for congenital muscular torticollis?

Accepted Answer

Passive stretching of the right sternocleidomastoid

Answer

Congenital muscular torticollis involves a shortened SCM on the side of the tilt, requiring stretching of that same muscle.

Question 2

Which reflex, normally integrated by 4-6 months, persists abnormally in children with cerebral palsy and interferes with rolling?

Accepted Answer

Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR)

Answer

Persistence of the ATNR obligates limb posture with head rotation, preventing the dissociation needed for rolling.

Question 3

A premature infant at 32 weeks corrected gestational age demonstrates signs of stress during handling. Which approach best guides intervention timing?

Accepted Answer

Synactive theory of development — watch for autonomic and motor stress cues

Answer

Als's synactive theory guides NICU care by recognizing behavioral stress cues (color change, hiccups, finger splaying) that signal the need to pause or modify handling.

Question 4

During gait analysis of a 3-year-old with spastic diplegic CP, you observe excessive hip internal rotation and 'scissoring.' What is the primary muscle group implicated?

Accepted Answer

Hip adductors and medial hamstrings

Answer

Scissoring gait in spastic diplegia is driven by overactive hip adductors and medial hamstrings pulling the legs into adduction and internal rotation.

Question 5

A child with myelomeningocele at the L3 level will most likely have preserved function of which muscle group?

Accepted Answer

Hip flexors and knee extensors

Answer

L3 innervates hip flexors (L1-L3) and knee extensors (L2-L4), so these are partially to fully preserved at an L3 lesion level.

(DPT) Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy Practice Test

(DPT) Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy Practice Test

DPT Pediatric Physical Therapy 2