NPTE-PT Pediatric Physical Therapy 3

Question 1

A 2-year-old is diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Which intervention approach has the STRONGEST evidence for improving functional motor performance?

Accepted Answer

Task-oriented approach targeting specific functional motor skills meaningful to the child

Answer

Task-oriented approaches (e.g., Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance — CO-OP) that directly practice ecologically meaningful functional skills have the strongest evidence for DCD.

Question 2

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) for a 4-year-old with spastic hemiplegia PRIMARILY achieves its therapeutic effect by:

Accepted Answer

Constraining the unaffected limb to force intensive use and motor learning in the hemiplegic limb

Answer

CIMT places a constraint (cast or mitt) on the stronger, unaffected limb to force intensive use of the weaker hemiplegic limb, driving cortical reorganization and functional improvement.

Question 3

A physical therapist evaluates a 4-year-old child who walks and runs age-appropriately but cannot hop on one foot. This finding is BEST characterized as:

Accepted Answer

A gross motor delay, as hopping on one foot typically emerges around age 3-4 years

Answer

Hopping on one foot typically emerges around age 3-4 years, so inability to hop at age 4 represents a delay in fundamental motor skill development warranting intervention.

Question 4

A 7-year-old is diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis and a Cobb angle of 20 degrees. The MOST appropriate initial physical therapy intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Scoliosis-specific exercises (e.g., Schroth method) combined with postural education

Answer

For Cobb angles under 25 degrees, scoliosis-specific exercise programs and postural education are the recommended initial physical therapy management, with bracing indicated at 25-45 degrees.

Question 5

A premature infant in the NICU demonstrates oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, and pallor during a PT intervention. The therapist's MOST appropriate IMMEDIATE response is to:

Accepted Answer

Immediately stop the activity and allow the infant to recover to baseline while notifying nursing

Answer

Physiologic stress signals (oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, color change) require immediate cessation of intervention and recovery support; the therapist notifies nursing rather than independently managing respiratory support.

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Test Practice Test

NPTE-PT Pediatric Physical Therapy 3