NPTE Clinical Files | Physical Therapy

Samantha is an office worker who presents with pain and numbness in the right hand, particularly at night. On examination, there is decreased sensation along the palmar aspect of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Which the of the following is the LEAST likely impaired:

A) Abductor pollicus brevis

B) Flexor pollicus longus

C) Opponens pollicus

D) 2nd Lumbrical

DOWNLOAD THIS EPISODE'S CHEATSHEET:

• www.nptecheatsheet.com/hand-w...

Denise is six days post-abdominal surgery with a midline incision. The incision is well-approximated with slight redness but no drainage or dehiscence. She is concerned about safely participating in physical therapy. Which recommendation is MOST appropriate for this patient?

A) Avoid core exercises until 6 weeks post-op

B) Continue light activities and monitor for redness, swelling, or drainage

C) Apply heat to the incision before exe...

Kelly is referred to physical therapy six days after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. She reports mild fatigue but denies chest pain or shortness of breath. Her resting heart rate is 85 bpm, and her blood pressure is 125/80 mmHg. The therapist plans to begin light aerobic exercise as part of her cardiac rehabilitation. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate guideline to follow during this session?

A) Monitor for ...

Ollie reports progressive weakness in his legs and tingling sensations in his hands and feet after a recent upper respiratory infection. On examination, he has moderate dorsiflexor weakness, and mild gait instability. Which of the following is the MOST anticipated finding?

A) Hyperreflexia with distal weakness

B) Loss of tactile sensation

C) Severe gross hip muscle weakness

D) Limb contractures

DOWNLOAD THIS EPISODE'S CHEATSHEET:

Rella presents with a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis in the freezing phase. She reports persistent, deep shoulder pain at rest and significant discomfort with attempted movement. Passive range of motion reveals capsular end-feel in all directions, particularly with external rotation. Which intervention is MOST appropriate to address the patient’s symptoms at this stage?

A) Low-load prolonged passive stretching with gradual increas...

Bailey presents with a history of osteoarthritis and hypertension and is referred to physical therapy for knee pain management. She reports taking over-the-counter medication daily for pain relief. During the session, she mentions experiencing mild stomach discomfort and occasional dizziness. Her blood pressure is 138/86 mmHg. Which medication is MOST likely contributing to the patient’s symptoms?

A) Acetaminophen

B) Ibuprofen

C) Calc...

Pouria presents with secondary lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. The patient reports heaviness in the arm and mild discomfort but denies significant pain. The affected arm shows a circumference 3 cm greater than the contralateral arm. She has no open wounds or signs of infection. Which compression and therapy strategy is MOST appropriate to manage this patient’s lymphedema?

A) High-stretch bandages to provide consistent ...

Jafar has a history of atrial fibrillation and reports occasional fatigue and palpitations. His resting heart rate is 96 bpm and irregular, and he takes a beta-blocker. During a six-minute walk test, he experiences mild shortness of breath but completes the test without difficulty. Which consideration is MOST important when developing this patient’s exercise program?

A) Monitor for a target heart rate based on age-predicted max hear...

Taylor presents with a TBI and is recently learning to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed independently. The therapist aims to facilitate the learning process while minimizing cognitive load. Which training strategy is MOST effective for this stage of motor learning?

A) Massed practice; intrinsic feedback

B) Distributed practice; concurrent feedback

C) Blocked practice; knowledge of results feedback

D) Random practice; knowledge of pe...

Kyle reports sudden posterior ankle pain after jumping, describing it as feeling “kicked.” Examination reveals mild swelling, a palpable gap above the calcaneus, limited active plantarflexion, and inability to perform a single-leg heel raise. Passive range of motion is full and pain-free. Which finding BEST explains the patient’s inability to perform a single-leg heel raise?

A) Tear of the medial ankle stabilizer leading to decrease...

Martha presents with six weeks of dull, intermittent low back pain. The pain worsens with standing but improves slightly with rest. Examination reveals mild lumbar tenderness and restricted motion. Which line of questioning is MOST important to uncover a potential red flag?

A) “Have you noticed changes in bowel or bladder habits?”

B) “What activities seem to aggravate or relieve your pain?”

C) “Have you experienced an increased heart...

Gertrude presents with right knee osteoarthritis and is being trained to use a cane. She demonstrates unsteady steps when initiating gait and turning, occasionally placing the cane too far ahead of her. She reports feeling unsure about how to use the cane properly in crowded environments. Which intervention is MOST important to improve the patient’s safety and confidence during cane use?

A) Adjust cane height to ensure proper weight...