Physical Therapy Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. During a visit, a patient says, “My shoulder pain was 7 out of 10 when I reached overhead this morning.” In a SOAP note, where does this information primarily belong?
Objective
Subjective
Assessment
Plan
2. A patient completes the prescribed strengthening repetitions easily with consistent form and no concerning symptoms. Which change best applies progressive overload?
Keep every exercise variable unchanged indefinitely
Increase the resistance by a manageable amount while continuing to monitor technique and response
Replace strengthening with passive movement only
Double the resistance immediately and continue even if form deteriorates
3. Which statement best describes the central purpose of physical therapy?
To replace all medical and surgical care for musculoskeletal conditions
To identify diseases primarily through laboratory testing and prescribe medication
To provide exercise programs without performing an examination
To assess movement and function and use appropriate interventions to improve or maintain them
4. Researchers compare a new mobility assessment with an established reference measure intended to evaluate the same ability. Which property are they primarily examining?
Interrater reliability
Internal consistency
Test burden
Criterion-related validity
5. A person stands on compliant foam with the eyes closed. Compared with standing on a firm surface with the eyes open, which sensory system must generally contribute more to maintaining balance?
Vestibular input
Visual input
Taste input
Auditory input
6. Which description most accurately defines the stance phase of walking?
The period during which the reference foot is in contact with the ground
The period beginning at toe-off and ending just before the same foot lands
The period when both feet are always off the ground
The brief period when the reference knee reaches its greatest flexion
7. What distinguishes passive range of motion from active range of motion?
Passive motion always moves a joint beyond its normal anatomical limit
The patient moves the joint independently against added resistance
An external force moves the joint while the patient does not actively produce the movement
The muscle contracts without any visible joint movement
8. Which activity is an example of an isometric muscle contraction?
Tightening the quadriceps while keeping the knee still
Slowly straightening the elbow while lowering a weight
Actively moving the knee repeatedly through its available range
Bending the elbow while lifting a dumbbell
9. During a manual technique, an adult patient with decision-making capacity asks the therapist to stop. What is the most appropriate response?
Finish the planned technique because consent was given at the start of the visit
Continue with less pressure without discussing the request
Stop the technique, clarify the patient's concerns if they wish to discuss them, and offer appropriate alternatives
Pause briefly but resume if the therapist believes the technique is beneficial
10. A patient becomes lightheaded immediately after standing from a treatment table. What should the therapist do first?
Encourage the patient to keep walking so the circulation adjusts
Help the patient sit or lie safely, then assess symptoms and relevant vital signs
Begin resisted leg exercises while the patient remains standing
Leave the patient standing while retrieving equipment from another room
11. A balance test produces similar scores when repeated under the same conditions in stable patients. Which measurement quality does this most directly demonstrate?
Responsiveness
Feasibility
Specificity
Reliability
12. A patient can stand from a chair but needs instruction to make the movement easier and more controlled. Which sequence is most appropriate?
Keep the feet well forward, lean backward, and pull on a nearby surface
Keep the hips at the back of the seat and rise without shifting the trunk
Place both feet far apart in front and use momentum by rapidly extending the neck
Move toward the seat edge, position the feet back, lean forward, and push from the armrests if needed
13. A patient has a weaker and painful right leg and is learning to walk with a single-point cane. Which basic pattern is generally appropriate?
Hold the cane in the right hand and move it after the stronger leg
Hold the cane in the left hand and advance it with the right leg before stepping through with the left
Hold the cane in either hand and move the stronger leg first without moving the cane
Hold the cane in the left hand and advance it only when the left leg moves
14. Soon after surgery, a patient develops new one-sided calf swelling, warmth, and tenderness during a therapy visit. What is the most appropriate response?
Continue with lighter exercise and check again at the next scheduled visit
Massage the calf to improve local circulation
Stop the session and arrange urgent medical evaluation according to the appropriate protocol
Apply strong stretching until the discomfort decreases
15. Which exercise is the clearest example of a closed kinetic chain activity for the lower extremities?
Performing a squat while both feet remain planted on the floor
Performing a straight-leg raise while lying down
Flexing the knee while standing with the thigh supported and foot off the floor
Straightening the knee while seated with the foot moving freely
16. During manual muscle testing, what does a grade of 3 typically indicate?
The patient completes the available range only with gravity minimized
A muscle contraction is visible or palpable, but no joint movement occurs
The patient completes the available range against gravity but takes no added resistance
The patient holds against the examiner's maximum resistance