NPTE-PT General Exam 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with multiple sclerosis is being assessed with the Berg Balance Scale. Which score indicates a HIGH fall risk?
- 56/56
- 45–54
- 36–44
- Below 36 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Below 36
Berg Balance Scale scores below 36 indicate a near 100% fall risk; scores of 41–56 indicate low fall risk in community-dwelling adults.
Question 2: During ultrasound treatment of a chronic Achilles tendinopathy, the therapist selects 1 MHz over 3 MHz. The rationale is that 1 MHz:
- Heats more superficial tissue effectively
- Penetrates deeper into tissue (up to 5 cm) (Correct answer)
- Produces more non-thermal effects
- Requires a smaller applicator head
Correct answer: Penetrates deeper into tissue (up to 5 cm)
1 MHz ultrasound has a longer wavelength that allows penetration to approximately 3–5 cm, reaching deeper structures like the Achilles tendon.
Question 3: A patient with COPD has an arterial blood gas showing pH 7.32, PaCO2 58 mmHg, and HCO3 30 mEq/L. This is best classified as:
- Metabolic acidosis with compensation
- Respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation (Correct answer)
- Respiratory alkalosis
- Mixed metabolic and respiratory alkalosis
Correct answer: Respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation
Elevated PaCO2 (>45) with a low pH indicates respiratory acidosis; the elevated bicarbonate reflects renal compensation over time.
Question 4: A therapist is treating a patient post-ACL reconstruction. During which phase of rehabilitation is it appropriate to initiate plyometric training?
- Immediately post-op to prevent atrophy
- Early phase when full passive ROM is achieved
- Intermediate phase when quad strength reaches 60% limb symmetry index
- Late phase when quad strength reaches at least 80–90% limb symmetry index (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Late phase when quad strength reaches at least 80–90% limb symmetry index
Plyometrics require neuromuscular control and strength sufficient to protect the graft; a limb symmetry index of at least 80–90% is the standard threshold.
Question 5: Which cranial nerve is responsible for both the afferent and efferent limbs of the gag reflex?
- CN V and CN VII
- CN IX and CN X (Correct answer)
- CN XI and CN XII
- CN VII and CN IX
Correct answer: CN IX and CN X
The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) carries the afferent signal, and the vagus nerve (CN X) mediates the efferent motor response of the gag reflex.
Question 6: A therapist documents that a patient has 4/5 MMT strength of the left hip flexors. This means the patient can:
- Contract the muscle but produce no joint movement
- Move the limb through full ROM against gravity only
- Move through full ROM against gravity with some resistance (Correct answer)
- Move through full ROM against gravity with full resistance
Correct answer: Move through full ROM against gravity with some resistance
MMT grade 4 (Good) means the patient can complete full ROM against gravity and resist some but not full examiner resistance.
Question 7: Under HIPAA regulations, a physical therapist may share a patient's protected health information (PHI) without written authorization for which of the following purposes?
- Marketing a new clinical service to the patient
- Sharing records with a life insurance company
- Treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO) (Correct answer)
- Research purposes under any circumstances
Correct answer: Treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO)
HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI without patient authorization for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations (TPO) as these are essential to care delivery.
NPTE-PT General Exam 5
A patient with multiple sclerosis is being assessed with the Berg Balance Scale.
Which score indicates a HIGH fall risk?