NPTE-PT Neuromuscular System Examination 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A deep tendon reflex graded 4+ with clonus indicates:
- Upper motor neuron lesion (Correct answer)
- Lower motor neuron lesion
- Normal reflex
- Peripheral neuropathy
Correct answer: Upper motor neuron lesion
Hyperreflexia (4+) with clonus is a sign of an upper motor neuron lesion, as the descending inhibitory pathways are disrupted.
Question 2: Which dermatome is tested by assessing sensation over the lateral forearm?
- C6 (Correct answer)
- C5
- C7
- T1
Correct answer: C6
The C6 dermatome covers the lateral forearm, thumb, and index finger, commonly affected in C6 radiculopathy.
Question 3: A patient presents with foot drop on the left side. Which peripheral nerve is most likely damaged?
- Common peroneal nerve (Correct answer)
- Tibial nerve
- Femoral nerve
- Obturator nerve
Correct answer: Common peroneal nerve
The common peroneal nerve innervates the ankle dorsiflexors and evertors; injury at the fibular head is a common cause of foot drop.
Question 4: During the coordination examination, a patient misses the target when performing the finger-nose test with eyes open. This finding is called:
- Dysmetria (Correct answer)
- Dysdiadochokinesia
- Astereognosis
- Agraphesthesia
Correct answer: Dysmetria
Dysmetria refers to the inability to accurately judge distance/target during voluntary movement and is a hallmark of cerebellar dysfunction.
Question 5: Muscle tone assessed as resistance throughout the full range of motion that is velocity-independent is best described as:
- Rigidity (Correct answer)
- Spasticity
- Hypotonia
- Flaccidity
Correct answer: Rigidity
Rigidity is a velocity-independent increase in muscle tone found throughout the range, characteristic of Parkinson's disease (lead-pipe or cogwheel).
Question 6: Which sensory test involves placing a familiar object in the patient's hand (without vision) and asking them to identify it?
- Stereognosis (Correct answer)
- Graphesthesia
- Two-point discrimination
- Vibration sense
Correct answer: Stereognosis
Stereognosis tests the ability to identify objects by touch alone and depends on intact parietal lobe cortical processing.
NPTE-PT Neuromuscular System Examination 2
A deep tendon reflex graded 4+ with clonus indicates: