NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Neuromuscular and Nervous Systems Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with a C6 spinal cord injury would be expected to have intact function of which muscle group?
- Wrist extensors (Correct answer)
- Finger flexors
- Triceps
- Intrinsic hand muscles
Correct answer: Wrist extensors
C6 innervates the wrist extensors (extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis), which remain functional at this level.
Question 2: Which type of neuroglial cell is responsible for forming myelin in the central nervous system?
- Oligodendrocytes (Correct answer)
- Schwann cells
- Astrocytes
- Microglia
Correct answer: Oligodendrocytes
Oligodendrocytes produce myelin sheaths around axons in the central nervous system.
Question 3: A patient presents with intention tremor, dysmetria, and dysdiadochokinesia. Which brain structure is most likely affected?
- Cerebellum (Correct answer)
- Basal ganglia
- Thalamus
- Primary motor cortex
Correct answer: Cerebellum
Intention tremor, dysmetria, and dysdiadochokinesia are classic signs of cerebellar dysfunction.
Question 4: During nerve conduction velocity testing, which finding is most consistent with demyelinating neuropathy rather than axonal neuropathy?
- Significantly reduced conduction velocity (Correct answer)
- Reduced amplitude with normal conduction velocity
- Fibrillation potentials on EMG
- Positive sharp waves on EMG
Correct answer: Significantly reduced conduction velocity
Demyelinating neuropathies characteristically show markedly reduced conduction velocity due to impaired saltatory conduction.
Question 5: A patient with Parkinson disease demonstrates a shuffling gait pattern. Which neurotransmitter deficiency is primarily responsible for this motor dysfunction?
- Dopamine (Correct answer)
- Acetylcholine
- Serotonin
- GABA
Correct answer: Dopamine
Parkinson disease results from degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to characteristic motor deficits.
Question 6: Which reflex would be expected to be ABSENT in a healthy 12-month-old infant?
- Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (Correct answer)
- Protective extension to the side
- Landau reflex
- Parachute reaction
Correct answer: Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
The asymmetrical tonic neck reflex is typically integrated by 6 months of age and should be absent by 12 months.
A patient with a C6 spinal cord injury would be expected to have intact function of which muscle group?