NPTE-PT Pediatric Physical Therapy 2

Question 1

A child with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy demonstrates a scissoring gait pattern. Which muscle group is PRIMARILY responsible for this pattern?

Accepted Answer

Hip adductors and internal rotators

Answer

Spasticity of the hip adductors and internal rotators causes the legs to cross midline during the swing phase, producing the characteristic scissoring pattern.

Question 2

A 3-year-old child presents with Erb's palsy following a brachial plexus birth injury at C5-C6. The CLASSIC resting posture of the affected arm is:

Accepted Answer

Shoulder adduction, internal rotation, elbow extension, and forearm pronation

Answer

Loss of C5-C6 innervated muscles leaves the antagonists unopposed, producing the classic 'waiter's tip' posture: shoulder adduction/internal rotation, elbow extension, and forearm pronation.

Question 3

Which intervention is MOST appropriate as first-line treatment for an infant diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT)?

Accepted Answer

Passive cervical stretching, active range of motion facilitation, and caregiver education in positioning

Answer

Conservative management with passive stretching, active movement facilitation, and caregiver education in positioning and carrying is the evidence-based first-line treatment for CMT.

Question 4

A child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) demonstrates Trendelenburg gait and compensatory lumbar lordosis. These findings are MOST directly caused by weakness of the:

Accepted Answer

Hip abductors (gluteus medius) and hip extensors (gluteus maximus)

Answer

Weak gluteus medius produces the Trendelenburg sign during single-limb stance, while weak gluteus maximus combined with hip flexor tightness leads to compensatory lumbar lordosis in DMD.

Question 5

Which intervention is CONTRAINDICATED for a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) during an acute joint flare?

Accepted Answer

High-intensity resistive exercises targeting the acutely inflamed joint

Answer

High-intensity resistive exercise targeting an acutely inflamed joint increases intra-articular stress and worsens synovial inflammation, risking further joint damage.

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Pediatric Physical Therapy 2