Scorebuilders Q&A
Welcome to NPTE Q&A presented by Scorebuilders. This podcast is for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students studying to pass the National Physical Therapy Examinations. It offers you the opportunity to take a deep dive into a variety of exam questions, gaining insight from seasoned Scorebuilders’ instructors as they help you understand and examine the why behind the correct answer. Ready to elevate your exam prep? Let’s go!
Episodes
121 episodes
Episode 121 - Osteoporosis - Contraindicated Exercise
A patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis in their spine and their femurs. They have been cleared by their physician for physical therapy and are eager to begin exercising. Which exercise should be AVOIDED in the patient's therapy program?...
Episode 120 - Type 2 Diabetes- Lightheadedness & Tachycardia
A patient with type 2 diabetes reports lightheadedness upon standing from the plinth during a therapy session. Their resting heart rate is also noted to be abnormally high. Which rationale BEST explains these findings? Option 1- Th...
Episode 119 - Dexa Scan - T-Score
A patient presents to physical therapy with a DEXA scan result showing a T-score of -2.8 at the lumbar spine. Which classification would be MOST appropriate for this patient based on the T-score? Option 1- Normal bone density Op...
Episode 118- Type 2 Diabetes
A patient with type 2 diabetes on insulin becomes pale, shaky, and confused during a gait training session. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action for the therapist to take?Option 1- Stop the session, have the patient rest, and r...
Episode 117- Elbow Flexion Test
During an evaluation, a physical therapist performs the elbow flexion test to reproduce a patient's upper extremity symptoms. Which of the following BEST explains the mechanism behind this test? Option 1- Compression of the ulnar n...
Episode 116- Durkan's Test
A physical therapist performs the carpal compression test (Durkan's test) on a patient who complains of pain and paresthesia in their hand. The purpose of this test is to compress which of the following structures?Option 1- Median nerve...
Episode 115 - Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome - Tinel's Sign
A physical therapist is performing Tinel's sign to assess for tarsal tunnel syndrome. Where should the therapist tap to provoke symptoms when performing this test?Option 1- Over the anterior ankle joint line between the tibia and talus
Episode 114- Spurling's Test
A physical therapist performs Spurling's test on a patient with right-sided upper extremity neural symptoms. The therapist begins the test by passively placing the patient's neck in right lateral flexion and extension. Before even applying axia...
Episode 113 - Pronator Syndrome
A physical therapist is examining a patient who presents with symptoms consistent with pronator syndrome. Which of the following findings would MOST likely be observed during the examination?Option 1- Weakness of the wrist extensors<...
Episode 112 - Anterior Interosseous Nerve (AIN) Syndrome
A physical therapist is evaluating a patient with a suspected compression neuropathy of the median nerve. Which of the following findings would help confirm a diagnosis of anterior interosseous nerve syndrome over other median nerve neuropathie...
Episode 111- Nerve Entrapment- Intrinsic Muscle Weakness
A patient presents with weakness isolated to the intrinsic muscles of the hand, specifically the adductor pollicis and the muscles of the hypothenar eminence. The therapist notes that all forearm muscles, the wrist flexors and wrist extensors, ...
Episode 110 - Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - Costoclavicular Space
A patient is referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of right thoracic outlet syndrome. The physical therapist identifies that the patient's symptoms are being caused by entrapment at the costoclavicular space. Which of the following acti...
Episode 109 - Kemp's Test
A physical therapist performs the standing lumbar quadrant test (Kemp's test) on a patient with low back pain. The patient reports that their pain is intermittent and mostly isolated to the lumbar region, though can occasionally radiate to the ...
Episode 108 - Slump Test - First Movement
A physical therapist is preparing to perform the slump test on a patient with suspected lumbar radiculopathy. When correctly performing the slump test, which movement should be completed FIRST?1. Cervical flexion2. Ankle dorsi...
Episode 107 - Saphenous Nerve Entrapment
A patient reports persistent burning and tingling along the medial aspects of the knee, lower leg, and ankle. The physical therapist suspects saphenous nerve involvement. Which of the following nerves would MOST closely mimic the sensory...
Episode 106 - Cubital Tunnel - Tinel's Sign
A physical therapist performs Tinel's sign by tapping over the cubital tunnel. The patient reports tingling sensations consistent with a positive finding. Which region of the hand would MOST likely be affected?1. Dorsal-lateral aspect o...
Episode 105 - Slump Test
A physical therapist performs a slump test on a patient with complaints of intermittent posterior leg pain and numbness. The patient reports increased symptoms when the neck is flexed during the test, but symptoms decrease when the neck is exte...
Episode 104 - Straight Leg Raise & Crossed Straight Leg Raise
A physical therapist is evaluating a patient with low back pain radiating into the left posterior thigh and calf. A straight leg raise on the left side reproduces the patient's familiar symptoms. When the therapist performs a crossed straight l...
Episode 103 - Upper Limb Tension Tests - Restricted Movement
A physical therapist plans to perform all four upper limb tension tests on a patient. However, they find it difficult to complete ULTT 1 (median nerve bias) and ULTT 4 (ulnar nerve bias) due to the patient's limited mobility. Which of the follo...
Episode 102 - Desensitization Training Program
A patient presents with hypersensitivity in the distal forearm following a recent peripheral nerve injury. The physical therapist initiates a desensitization program involving gradual exposure to various tactile stimuli. What is the primary mec...
Episode 101 - Lhermitte's Sign
A physical therapist is evaluating a 38-year-old patient who reports an electric shock-like sensation radiating down the spine and into both arms when flexing the neck. The therapist suspects a positive Lhermitte's sign. Which of the following ...
Episode 100 - Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome - Tinel's Sign
A physical therapist performs Tinel's sign by gently tapping over the posterior tibial nerve at the medial malleolus, looking for reproduction of paresthesia. In a patient with tarsal tunnel syndrome, the expected tingling symptoms would MOS...
Episode 99 - Desensitization Training
A physical therapist is beginning desensitization treatment for a patient with significant tactile hypersensitivity in the palm following carpal tunnel surgery. The patient describes light touch as irritating and has started avoiding hand use. ...