NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Gait, Balance, and Orthotics Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

Which gait deviation is most commonly associated with quadriceps weakness during the loading response phase?

Accepted Answer

Excessive knee flexion with compensatory forward trunk lean

Answer

Quadriceps weakness during loading response causes the knee to buckle into flexion, and patients often compensate by leaning the trunk forward to move the ground reaction force anterior to the knee.

Question 2

A floor reaction AFO is most indicated for a patient with which condition?

Accepted Answer

Crouch gait with weak plantarflexors

Answer

A floor reaction AFO blocks tibial advancement and creates a knee extension moment, making it ideal for crouch gait patterns with plantarflexor weakness.

Question 3

During terminal stance in normal gait, which joint motion contributes most to forward propulsion?

Accepted Answer

Ankle plantarflexion

Answer

The gastrocnemius-soleus complex generates a powerful plantarflexion moment during terminal stance that provides the primary propulsive force for forward progression.

Question 4

The Berg Balance Scale consists of how many items and what is the maximum score?

Accepted Answer

14 items, maximum score of 56

Answer

The Berg Balance Scale includes 14 functional balance tasks, each scored from 0 to 4, yielding a maximum score of 56.

Question 5

A patient wearing a KAFO with a drop-lock knee joint demonstrates difficulty initiating swing phase. What modification would best address this?

Accepted Answer

Replace with a stance-control knee joint

Answer

A stance-control knee joint automatically locks during stance for stability but unlocks during swing to allow free knee flexion, improving gait efficiency.

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NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Gait, Balance, and Orthotics Questions and Answers 3