MPT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MPT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which breath sound indicates secretion accumulation in the larger airways? → Coarse crackles (rhonchi)
2. The overload principle in therapeutic exercise states that: → The body adapts only when subjected to a load greater than it is accustomed to
3. The PICO framework used in evidence-based practice stands for: → Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome
4. Scissor gait, characterized by the legs crossing the midline during swing, is most commonly associated with: → Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy
5. A vaulting gait deviation (rising on the toes of the sound limb during prosthetic swing) is caused by: → Prosthesis being too long
6. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) is used to assess: → Gross motor maturation from birth to independent walking
7. Incentive spirometry is primarily used post-operatively to prevent: → Atelectasis and pneumonia
8. The Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound (SMART) goal framework is used in PT to: → Create clear, trackable functional goals with the patient and care team
9. What is the purpose of the Spurling test in cervical spine assessment? → Reproduce cervical radiculopathy symptoms
10. The muscle responsible for scapular upward rotation during arm elevation above 90 degrees is: → Serratus anterior and lower trapezius force couple
11. In patellar tendinopathy rehabilitation, heavy slow resistance (HSR) training is preferred because: → It stimulates tendon collagen synthesis without exceeding compressive load tolerance
12. The single-leg squat test (repetitions to fatigue at 60 degrees of knee flexion) is used to assess which quality in patients with patellofemoral pain? → Quadriceps endurance and neuromuscular control
13. According to the Cyriax model of orthopedic assessment, a capsular pattern of the hip joint presents as: → Greatest limitation in hip internal rotation, followed by abduction, then flexion
14. Core stabilization exercises should progress from: → Static stability in neutral spine to dynamic functional movements under load
15. What is the Thomas test used to assess? → Hip flexor tightness (iliopsoas/rectus femoris)
16. The SAID principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) means that rehabilitation exercises should: → Match the specific demands of the patient's functional or sport goals
17. Eccentric strengthening is particularly effective for treating tendinopathy because it: → Promotes collagen remodeling and tendon structural adaptation
18. The straight leg raise (SLR) test becomes positive (radicular symptoms reproduced) at 30-70 degrees of hip flexion. This finding most specifically indicates: → L4-S1 nerve root tension or compression
19. Which color of wound tissue indicates healthy granulation tissue and suggests the wound is progressing toward healing? → Red (granulation)
20. Exertional compartment syndrome is best confirmed by: → Intra-compartmental pressure measurement during and after exercise
21. Constraint therapy in children with hemiplegic CP has demonstrated improvements in: → Unilateral upper extremity function and motor learning
22. Concussion management in the US follows return-to-play protocols that require: → Symptom-free at rest before gradual stepwise return to sport
23. Other names for the problem-oriented medical record (POMR) include: → SOAP system
24. Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured? → Scaphoid
25. In a forest plot from a meta-analysis, a diamond that crosses the vertical line of no effect indicates: → The pooled treatment effect is not statistically significant
26. Which component of a transfemoral prosthesis controls knee stability during the loading response phase? → Knee extension assist or polycentric mechanism
27. Deload weeks are programmed into therapeutic exercise plans to: → Allow tissue recovery and prevent overtraining and overuse injury
28. Which spirometry measurement represents the maximum volume exhaled forcefully in one second? → FEV1
29. In Parkinson's disease, physical therapy commonly uses external cues to improve gait because of deficits in which function? → Internal rhythm generation (basal ganglia dysfunction)
30. Which grading system is used to classify muscle strains? → Grade I (mild), Grade II (moderate), Grade III (complete tear)