NPTE-PT FREE NPTE-PT Test Equipment and Therapeutic Modalities Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with chronic low back pain is being treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Which parameter adjustment would MOST likely increase the depth of current penetration?
- Increase the pulse frequency
- Increase the pulse duration (Correct answer)
- Decrease the amplitude
- Decrease the electrode size without changing amplitude
Correct answer: Increase the pulse duration
Increasing pulse duration allows more charge to be delivered per pulse, which increases the depth of current penetration into tissue.
Question 2: When applying cervical traction using a mechanical unit, what is the recommended treatment angle to target the lower cervical segments (C5-C7)?
- 0 degrees of flexion
- 15 degrees of flexion
- 25-30 degrees of flexion (Correct answer)
- 45 degrees of flexion
Correct answer: 25-30 degrees of flexion
Approximately 25-30 degrees of cervical flexion is recommended to effectively target the lower cervical segments during mechanical traction.
Question 3: A physical therapist is using phonophoresis to deliver dexamethasone to a patient's inflamed supraspinatus tendon. What ultrasound parameter is MOST appropriate?
- 3 MHz, continuous, 2.0 W/cm2
- 1 MHz, continuous, 1.5 W/cm2
- 3 MHz, pulsed 20%, 0.5 W/cm2 (Correct answer)
- 1 MHz, pulsed 50%, 1.0 W/cm2
Correct answer: 3 MHz, pulsed 20%, 0.5 W/cm2
For phonophoresis targeting a superficial structure, 3 MHz pulsed at low intensity is preferred to drive medication without excessive thermal effects.
Question 4: Which assistive device gait pattern requires the HIGHEST energy expenditure?
- Two-point pattern with bilateral crutches
- Four-point pattern with bilateral crutches
- Swing-through pattern with bilateral crutches (Correct answer)
- Three-point pattern with one crutch
Correct answer: Swing-through pattern with bilateral crutches
The swing-through gait pattern requires the highest energy expenditure because the patient must lift and propel the entire body past the crutches with each stride.
Question 5: A patient with a Stage III pressure injury on the sacrum has significant wound exudate. Which therapeutic modality is MOST appropriate to promote wound healing?
- Continuous shortwave diathermy
- Pulsed lavage with suction (Correct answer)
- Cryotherapy
- Continuous ultrasound at 1 MHz
Correct answer: Pulsed lavage with suction
Pulsed lavage with suction provides effective wound debridement and exudate management while promoting granulation tissue formation in pressure injuries.
Question 6: When fitting a patient for a standard wheelchair, the seat width should allow how much space between the patient's hips and the armrests on each side?
- 0.5 inch on each side
- 1 inch on each side (Correct answer)
- 2 inches on each side
- No space should remain
Correct answer: 1 inch on each side
The standard recommendation is approximately 1 inch of clearance on each side between the patient's hips and the armrests for proper wheelchair fit.
NPTE-PT FREE NPTE-PT Test Equipment and Therapeutic Modalities Questions and Answers 2
A patient with chronic low back pain is being treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Which parameter adjustment would MOST likely increase the depth of current penetration?