NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Musculoskeletal System Interventions Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient is 6 weeks post-ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Which intervention is MOST appropriate at this stage?
- Closed kinetic chain exercises from 0-60 degrees of knee flexion (Correct answer)
- Open kinetic chain knee extension from 0-90 degrees
- Plyometric jump training
- Deep squats beyond 90 degrees of knee flexion
Correct answer: Closed kinetic chain exercises from 0-60 degrees of knee flexion
Closed kinetic chain exercises in a limited range protect the graft while promoting quadriceps strengthening during early rehabilitation.
Question 2: Which manual therapy technique is MOST appropriate for improving inferior glide of the glenohumeral joint to increase shoulder flexion?
- Posterior glide with the arm at the side
- Inferior glide with the arm in resting position (Correct answer)
- Anterior glide with the arm in 90 degrees of abduction
- Distraction with the arm in full internal rotation
Correct answer: Inferior glide with the arm in resting position
Inferior glide of the humeral head is the component motion needed to restore shoulder flexion range of motion according to the convex-concave rule.
Question 3: A patient with lateral epicondylalgia has pain with gripping. Which exercise is BEST supported by evidence for this condition?
- Eccentric wrist extension with a slow lowering phase (Correct answer)
- Concentric wrist flexion with maximal resistance
- Passive stretching of the finger flexors
- Isometric shoulder internal rotation
Correct answer: Eccentric wrist extension with a slow lowering phase
Eccentric wrist extensor strengthening has strong evidence for reducing pain and improving function in lateral epicondylalgia.
Question 4: A patient 3 days after a Grade II medial collateral ligament sprain should receive which intervention?
- Aggressive valgus stress mobilization to prevent adhesions
- Hinged knee brace and protected weight bearing with crutches (Correct answer)
- Immediate return to sport with taping
- Deep transverse friction massage to the MCL
Correct answer: Hinged knee brace and protected weight bearing with crutches
A hinged brace set to limit terminal extension and protected weight bearing allows controlled healing while preventing valgus stress in acute Grade II MCL sprains.
Question 5: Which proprioceptive exercise progression is MOST appropriate for a patient in the late stage of ankle sprain rehabilitation?
- Double-leg stance on a firm surface with eyes open
- Single-leg stance on a foam surface with eyes closed (Correct answer)
- Seated ankle pumps with a resistance band
- Supine ankle alphabet exercises
Correct answer: Single-leg stance on a foam surface with eyes closed
Single-leg stance on an unstable surface with eyes closed maximally challenges the somatosensory system, appropriate for late-stage proprioceptive retraining.
Question 6: A patient with adhesive capsulitis in the frozen stage reports significant pain with passive shoulder external rotation limited to 15 degrees. Which intervention is MOST appropriate?
- Aggressive passive stretching into external rotation to the end range
- Low-grade joint mobilizations within the pain-free range and modalities for pain relief (Correct answer)
- Manipulation under anesthesia as a first-line treatment
- High-velocity thrust manipulation of the glenohumeral joint
Correct answer: Low-grade joint mobilizations within the pain-free range and modalities for pain relief
During the frozen (freezing) stage, gentle mobilizations and pain management are preferred because aggressive stretching can exacerbate the inflammatory capsular process.
NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Musculoskeletal System Interventions Questions and Answers 2
A patient is 6 weeks post-ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft.
Which intervention is MOST appropriate at this stage?