NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Pharmacology and Medical Sciences Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient taking warfarin is referred to PT. Which monitoring parameter is most relevant to the PT's plan of care?
- INR level (Correct answer)
- Serum sodium
- Serum creatinine
- Fasting glucose
Correct answer: INR level
INR reflects anticoagulation status and directly affects fall-risk precautions and wound-care decisions in PT.
Question 2: Which class of medication is most likely to cause orthostatic hypotension and increase fall risk during PT sessions?
- Antihypertensives (Correct answer)
- Statins
- Antibiotics
- Proton pump inhibitors
Correct answer: Antihypertensives
Antihypertensives reduce blood pressure and can cause drops in BP upon position changes, increasing fall risk.
Question 3: A patient using long-term corticosteroids is most at risk for which musculoskeletal complication relevant to PT?
- Osteoporosis and fracture risk (Correct answer)
- Ligament laxity
- Muscle hypertrophy
- Joint effusion
Correct answer: Osteoporosis and fracture risk
Chronic corticosteroid use suppresses bone formation and accelerates bone resorption, leading to osteoporosis.
Question 4: Which medication side effect should prompt a PT to immediately stop exercise and notify the physician?
- Chest pain and dyspnea during exertion (Correct answer)
- Mild muscle soreness
- Dry mouth
- Mild ankle swelling
Correct answer: Chest pain and dyspnea during exertion
Chest pain and dyspnea during exercise may indicate cardiac ischemia or pulmonary compromise requiring immediate medical evaluation.
Question 5: Beta-blockers affect PT exercise prescription primarily because they:
- Blunt the heart rate response to exercise (Correct answer)
- Cause excessive tachycardia
- Improve exercise tolerance significantly
- Increase blood glucose during exercise
Correct answer: Blunt the heart rate response to exercise
Beta-blockers block adrenergic stimulation of the heart, preventing the normal rise in heart rate, so RPE-based prescriptions are preferred.
Question 6: A patient on NSAIDs long-term presents with edema and elevated blood pressure. The PT should:
- Document findings and communicate to the referring physician (Correct answer)
- Increase diuretic exercise to reduce edema
- Immediately apply compression bandaging
- Continue treatment without modification
Correct answer: Document findings and communicate to the referring physician
NSAIDs can cause fluid retention and hypertension; these signs should be documented and referred to the physician as potential adverse drug effects.
NPTE-PT NPTE-PT Test Pharmacology and Medical Sciences Questions and Answers 1
A patient taking warfarin is referred to PT.
Which monitoring parameter is most relevant to the PT's plan of care?