NPTE-PT Test Therapeutic Modalities Application Questions and Answers

Question 1

A physical therapist is treating a patient with chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy.
The therapeutic goal is to increase tissue temperature and extensibility in the target tissue prior to stretching exercises.
Which of the following ultrasound parameters is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Continuous at 3 MHz, 1.2 W/cm²

Answer

Pulsed at 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm²

Answer

Continuous at 1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm²

Answer

Pulsed at 3 MHz, 0.8 W/cm²

Question 2

A physical therapist intends to use conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to modulate a patient's acute low back pain, based on the gate control theory. Which parameter settings are MOST consistent with this therapeutic goal?

Accepted Answer

High frequency (80-150 pps), short pulse duration (50-100 microseconds)

Answer

Low frequency (2-10 pps), long pulse duration (>200 microseconds)

Answer

High frequency (80-150 pps), long pulse duration (>200 microseconds)

Answer

Low frequency (2-10 pps), short pulse duration (50-100 microseconds)

Question 3

A patient is referred to physical therapy for management of acute right ankle swelling following an inversion sprain 24 hours ago. The therapist considers using cryotherapy. Which of the following findings in the patient's medical history is an absolute contraindication to this modality?

Accepted Answer

Raynaud's phenomenon

Answer

History of hypertension

Answer

An open wound over the dorsum of the foot

Answer

Impaired sensation due to diabetic neuropathy

Question 4

A physical therapist is preparing to administer iontophoresis to treat calcific tendinitis in the shoulder using acetic acid. To deliver the medication effectively, how should the therapist set up the electrodes?

Accepted Answer

Place the acetic acid under the cathode (negative electrode)

Answer

Place the acetic acid under the anode (positive electrode)

Answer

Place a saline solution under the cathode (negative electrode)

Answer

Place the acetic acid under either electrode, as polarity does not matter

Question 5

A physical therapist is applying intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) to a patient's lower extremity to manage chronic lymphedema. The patient's resting blood pressure is 130/85 mmHg. To ensure safety and prevent occlusion of arterial blood flow, the inflation pressure of the IPC unit should NOT exceed which value?

Accepted Answer

85 mmHg

Answer

100 mmHg

Answer

130 mmHg

Answer

60 mmHg

Question 6

A patient with a subacute posterolateral lumbar disc herniation is prescribed mechanical traction. The goal of the initial session is to assess tolerance and begin to achieve separation of the vertebral bodies. Which of the following force settings is MOST appropriate for this initial treatment?

Accepted Answer

25% of the patient's body weight

Answer

10% of the patient's body weight

Answer

50% of the patient's body weight

Answer

75% of the patient's body weight

A physical therapist is treating a patient with chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy.The therapeutic goal is to increase tissue temperature and extensibility in the target tissue prior to stretching exercises.Which of the following ultrasound parameters is MOST appropriate?

A physical therapist is treating a patient with chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy.
The therapeutic goal is to increase tissue temperature and extensibility in the target tissue prior to stretching exercises.
Which of the following ultrasound parameters is MOST appropriate?