NPTE-PT Test Test Musculoskeletal System Examination 1

Question 1

A physical therapist is assessing a patient with suspected lateral epicondylitis. Which special test is MOST appropriate to confirm this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Cozen's test

Answer

Cozen's test (resisted wrist extension with the elbow extended) reproduces pain at the lateral epicondyle by stressing the extensor carpi radialis brevis, the muscle most commonly involved in lateral epicondylitis.

Question 2

A patient presents with pain and clicking in the temporomandibular joint. During examination, the physical therapist notes that the mandible deviates to the right on opening. Which structure is MOST likely dysfunctional?

Accepted Answer

Right lateral pterygoid muscle

Answer

The mandible deviates toward the side of dysfunction on mouth opening. A dysfunctional right lateral pterygoid (or right disc displacement) causes the mandible to pull or deviate to the right during opening.

Question 3

When performing a posterior drawer test of the knee, the physical therapist places the patient supine with the hip at 45 degrees and knee at 90 degrees, then pushes the tibia posteriorly. Excessive posterior translation indicates injury to which structure?

Accepted Answer

Posterior cruciate ligament

Answer

The posterior drawer test specifically stresses the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Posterior force on the proximal tibia at 90 degrees of knee flexion causes excessive posterior tibial translation when the PCL is torn.

Question 4

A 45-year-old patient reports cervical spine pain radiating into the thumb, index finger, and middle finger with associated weakness of elbow flexion. Which cervical nerve root is MOST likely compressed?

Accepted Answer

C6

Answer

C6 nerve root compression produces sensory changes in the thumb, index, and middle fingers (lateral forearm and hand) and weakness of elbow flexors (biceps) and wrist extensors. The biceps reflex may also be diminished.

Question 5

A physical therapist performs the Thomas test on a patient and observes that the contralateral thigh rises off the table. This MOST likely indicates tightness of which structure?

Accepted Answer

Hip flexor musculature (iliopsoas)

Answer

The Thomas test detects hip flexor tightness. When the non-tested leg is pulled to the chest to flatten the lumbar spine, a tight iliopsoas on the tested side prevents the thigh from resting flat on the table, causing it to rise.

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Test Test Musculoskeletal System Examination 1