Practice Test Geeks(PCE) Physiotherapy Competency Exam Practice Test
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Clinical Knowledge and Theory Flashcards

7 cards from real PCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Clinical Knowledge and Theory flashcards as text

  1. A patient presents with wrist drop following a mid-humeral shaft fracture. Which nerve is most likely injured?

    Answer: Radial nerve

    The radial nerve winds around the humeral shaft in the spiral groove and is commonly injured with mid-shaft humeral fractures, causing wrist and finger extensor weakness.

  2. Which pulmonary function value is most useful in differentiating obstructive from restrictive lung disease?

    Answer: FEV1/FVC ratio

    A reduced FEV1/FVC ratio (<0.70) indicates obstruction (e.g., COPD), while restriction typically shows a reduced FVC with a normal or elevated ratio.

  3. The close-packed position of the glenohumeral joint is:

    Answer: Full abduction with external rotation

    Full abduction combined with external rotation places maximum tension on the glenohumeral ligaments and maximizes bony congruence, defining the close-packed position.

  4. According to the Gate Control Theory of pain, activation of which fiber type can inhibit pain transmission at the dorsal horn?

    Answer: Aβ fibers

    Gate Control Theory proposes that large-diameter Aβ fibers activate inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal horn, 'closing the gate' to nociceptive C and Aδ fiber signals.

  5. In a patient with C6 tetraplegia, which functional movement would you MOST expect to be preserved?

    Answer: Wrist extension (tenodesis grasp)

    C6 innervates wrist extensors (ECRL/ECRB), enabling tenodesis grasp where passive finger flexion occurs when the wrist extends.

  6. The H-reflex is the electrophysiological equivalent of which clinical test?

    Answer: Achilles tendon reflex

    The H-reflex is elicited by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve and mirrors the monosynaptic pathway of the Achilles (ankle jerk) reflex at the S1 level.

  7. Which stage of tissue healing is characterized by collagen synthesis and fibroblast proliferation?

    Answer: Proliferative (fibroplasia) phase

    The proliferative phase (days 3–21) involves fibroblast migration, type III collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and formation of granulation tissue.