NPTE Clinical Files | Physical Therapy
Episodes
Skin Condition Differential
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alynne is a woman who reports fatigue, intermittent joint pain, and a recurrent facial rash that becomes worse after spending time in the sun. Examina...
Genitourinary Interventions (Incontinence)
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mila reports a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by leakage before reaching the bathroom. The patient voids frequently throughout the day and w...
Basal Ganglia Dysfunction & Intervention
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mackenzie presents to physical therapy following a stroke affecting the basal ganglia. The patient exhibits bradykinesia and difficulty initiating mov...
Lower Extremity Swelling Interventions
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bellie presents with persistent bilateral lower extremity swelling that worsens throughout the day. The therapist is selecting an intervention to assi...
Mid Thoracic Pain Evaluation
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Rice evaluates a patient with a chief complaint of mid-thoracic pain radiating around the left lateral rib cage. The patient reports symptoms wors...
Sensitivity & Specificity Principles
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Carmen is performing a special test on her patient. The test has a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 30%. The patient tests negative. What is th...
A Must Know Neurologic Examination Concept
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Elena presents with significant muscle atrophy in the lower extremities, fasciculations of the gastrocnemius, and a 1+ Achilles tendon reflex. During ...
Lumbar HNP Treatment
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Yesenia is a 37-year-old patient with lumbar disc herniation who reports pain radiating to the posterior thigh. During treatment, repeated lumbar exte...
Transfemoral Amputee Gait Deviation
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Benito, a patient with a right transfemoral amputation, demonstrates circumduction of the prosthetic limb during the swing phase. Which of the followi...
Pediatric Clinical Decision Making
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Victor is a 12-year-old male who presents with a limp and groin pain. The hip rests in external rotation, and hip flexion produces obligatory external...
Cranial Nerve Examination Part 2
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Belsnickel is a 63-year-old male who presents with right-sided facial paralysis, inability to abduct the right eye, and an absent corneal blink reflex...
Cranial Nerve Examination Part 1
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Juvelyn shows an impaired corneal reflex, loss of facial sensation, and difficulty chewing on the right side. Which of the following is MOST likely im...
Pediatric Lower Extremity Evaluation
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hallie presents with bilateral anterior knee pain and an in-toeing gait. Craig’s test reveals 10° of femoral anteversion on both sides. Which of th...
NPTE Medications Side Effects
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lionel has a past medical history of hypertension and has been referred to physical therapy for generalized fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance. Du...
NPTE Unfamiliar Terms
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Faith is a 65-year-old female recovering from hip replacement surgery and presents with mild calf swelling and tenderness. Based on Virchow’s Triad,...
Knee Pain Differential & Examination Findings
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Skye is a soccer player who reports intermittent knee locking and joint line pain following a twisting injury 2 weeks ago. The McMurray test reproduce...
Lymph Node Dissection
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Brittinie presents with difficulty pushing up from a chair, weakness with shoulder extension and adduction, and no significant sensory deficits. She r...
Pelvic Health & Intervention
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Betty is a 45-year-old female who presents to physical therapy with complaints of pelvic pain, urinary frequency, and urgency without signs of infecti...
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Josue recommends a prolonged warm-up for a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy before initiating aerobic exercise. Which of the following is the ...
ALS: Functional Mobility Management
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bill presents with early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and reports mild lower extremity weakness and occasional tripping when walking on u...
Low Back Pain Treatment Considerations
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aiyana is an office worker with chronic low back pain who is referred to physical therapy. During a core stability assessment, the patient demonstrate...
Nutrition & Hydration in PT
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leilani is an athlete who reports muscle cramps, fasciculations in the legs, and fatigue during prolonged training sessions. Which of the following is...
Skin Condition Evaluation
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Zayden presents with well-defined, raised plaques on the extensor surfaces of his elbows and knees. The lesions are covered with silvery scales, and h...
DVT: Signs & Prevention
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Miraide is recovering from a total hip arthroplasty and reports mild calf discomfort on the second day post-surgery. On examination, there is no signi...
Cerebral Palsy: Gait Analysis
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Orion is a 12-year-old with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and is evaluated for gait abnormalities. The therapist observes excessive hip flexion, kne...
Osteoarthritic Impacts On Gait
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kai is a 65-year-old male who presents with deep groin pain, morning stiffness lasting 30 minutes, and a positive scour test. Which gait deviation is ...
Cervical Spine Radiculopathy
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Harper presents with neck pain and tingling radiating into the right hand. Symptoms worsen with overhead activities and improve with the arm at rest. ...
Pediatric Growth Milestones
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
DeShawn is assessing a 12-month-old child during a developmental screening. The child can pull to stand, cruise along furniture, and grasp small objec...
Scar Tissue Mobilization Techniques
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Diego is six weeks post-rotator cuff repair and reports stiffness and a pulling sensation near the surgical incision during overhead movement. Examina...
COPD: Exercise Testing & Prescription
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Luca is a 68 year old male with moderate COPD who is referred for physical therapy to improve exercise tolerance. He reports dyspnea with minimal exer...
Alzheimer’s Disease: PT Treatment
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amara presents with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and has impaired gait and balance. She becomes disoriented in new environments and struggle...
Post-Op Total Knee Arthroplasty
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Helga is two days post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and reports moderate knee pain and stiffness. Her knee range of motion is 0–45 degrees, and her...
Electrotherapy- Indications & Contraindications New
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Freda presents with persistent shoulder pain following rotator cuff repair surgery. The therapist considers using electrical stimulation for pain mana...
Integumentary Outcome Measures
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mohammad is documenting outcomes for a patient who has been treated for a venous ulcer. Which of the following improvements is the MOST significant to...
Surgical Pain Examination
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sweeney recently underwent a hysterectomy and requests to sit after ambulating a few feet. The patient reports dizziness and right lower extremity pai...
Shoulder Instability- Recognizing & Testing
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Azaria is a 22-year-old swimmer with intermittent right shoulder pain who complains of a slipping sensation during overhead activities. Which of the f...
Vestibular Assessment
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John reports dizziness and unsteadiness when walking, especially in busy environments or when turning his head quickly. He denies positional dizziness...
Medical Imaging Interpretation
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before an evaluation, Arial is reviewing the patient's MRI report that describes sequestration at the L4 – L5 level. The intake form reveals sen...
Hand & Wrist Pathologies
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Samantha is an office worker who presents with pain and numbness in the right hand, particularly at night. On examination, there is decreased sensatio...
Post-Surgical Incision Care
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Denise is six days post-abdominal surgery with a midline incision. The incision is well-approximated with slight redness but no drainage or dehiscence...
CABG / Post-Op PT Guidelines
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly is referred to physical therapy six days after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. She reports mild fatigue but denies chest pain or sh...
Mystery Pathology Examination Findings
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ollie reports progressive weakness in his legs and tingling sensations in his hands and feet after a recent upper respiratory infection. On examinatio...
Frozen Shoulder Rehab Protocols
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rella presents with a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis in the freezing phase. She reports persistent, deep shoulder pain at rest and significant disco...
Pharmacology for PTs
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bailey presents with a history of osteoarthritis and hypertension and is referred to physical therapy for knee pain management. She reports taking ove...
Lymphedema Management - Compression & Therapy
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pouria presents with secondary lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. The patient reports heaviness in the arm and mild discomfort but denies s...
Atrial Fibrillation / PT Considerations
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jafar has a history of atrial fibrillation and reports occasional fatigue and palpitations. His resting heart rate is 96 bpm and irregular, and he tak...
Traumatic Brain Injury / Assessment & Treatment
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor presents with a TBI and is recently learning to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed independently. The therapist aims to facilitate the learnin...
Ankle Pain - Clinical Patholophysiology
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kyle reports sudden posterior ankle pain after jumping, describing it as feeling “kicked.” Examination reveals mild swelling, a palpable gap above...
Lumbar Spine Pathologies / Red Flags
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Martha presents with six weeks of dull, intermittent low back pain. The pain worsens with standing but improves slightly with rest. Examination reveal...
Assistive Device Training
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gertrude presents with right knee osteoarthritis and is being trained to use a cane. She demonstrates unsteady steps when initiating gait and turning,...
Foot Ulcers / Key Assessments
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Betty presents with type 2 diabetes and a non-healing ulcer on the lateral ankle. The ulcer is dry, and the patient reports discomfort in her posterio...
Peripheral Artery Disease & Walking Programs
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cobert presents with a history of peripheral artery disease and was referred to physical therapy for walking endurance. He reports intermittent claudi...
Multiple Sclerosis - Symptoms & Interventions
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Liara presents with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with complaints of fatigue and difficulty walking. She reports worsening symptoms in the af...
Knee OA Examination
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel presents with knee pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. She describes stiffness lasting about 30 minutes in the morning and ...
Burns - Classification & PT Interventions
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lorren sustained burns to his right forearm and hand while working with hot oil. The burn area is red with blistering, and the patient reports signifi...
Exercise Physiology
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nivayah presents with a history of myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes. The patient reports limited endurance and shortness of breath when walki...
Cardiac Rehab Phases
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jamie is a 62-year-old female who is referred to outpatient cardiac rehabilitation 3 weeks after a myocardial infarction. She reports feeling fatigued...
Spinal Cord Injuries / ASIA Scale
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teddy sustained a spinal cord injury at the C7 level after a motor vehicle accident. During the ASIA examination, the patient has preserved sensation ...
Hip Special Tests / Key Signs
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carlos is a long-distance runner who presents with deep groin pain that worsens with running and prolonged sitting. He also reports occasional clickin...
Knee Special Tests
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Beniah is a 21-year-old female soccer player who presents with right knee pain and instability after pivoting during a game. She reports hearing a “...
Wound Healing Stages
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Heather is a female with diabetes who is referred to physical therapy for evaluation of a right heel wound. The wound measures 4 cm in diameter, shows...
Wheelchair Prescription & Positioning
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica presents with a C6 spinal cord injury and is being fitted for a wheelchair. She has full innervation of the deltoids, biceps, and wrist extens...
Medical Team Communication
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teniah was admitted to the acute care hospital with community-acquired pneumonia. She reports shortness of breath and fatigue. Auscultation reveals de...
Parkinson’s Disease: Stages & Treatments
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jamie presents with stage 3 Parkinson’s disease and marked presbycusis and reports frequent freezing episodes during ambulation. She demonstrates a ...
Rotator Cuff Tear Rehab Protocols
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travasia is 4 weeks post-supraspinatus repair. She reports mild soreness but no significant pain. Examination reveals limited passive shoulder elevati...
Gait Dysfunction Assessment
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Narek reports progressive gait difficulties, including frequent tripping and reduced foot clearance during swing phase. Which examination is MOST appr...
Pressure Ulcer Examination
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Talar is a diabetic patient that presents with a chronic foot ulcer that has not healed despite standard care. The ulcer is clean, but the tissue arou...
ECG Evaluation
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jamie is a 68 year old male with a history of hypertension presents with dizziness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. An ECG reveals a regular rh...
Stroke Rehabilitation Strategies
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hamza is 3 weeks post-stroke and presents with right-sided hemiparesis. He is able to sit unsupported but struggles to stand and has difficulty walkin...
Shoulder Differential Diagnosis
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Milani presents with anterior shoulder pain and reports difficulty with overhead activities. The patient describes intermittent clicking and discomfor...
Neurological Outcome Measures
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy is performing a neurological evaluation. The therapist notes repeated falls in quiet standing with a suspected forward anticipatory balance imp...
Other Systems Differential Diagnosis
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A 45-year-old female presents to physical therapy with complaints of persistent fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Upon examination, the therapist ...
What Would I Do Different After Passing The NPTE W/ Greg Todd
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a PT wondering where you'll find the money to pay off your student loan debt? In this exclusive episode, Coach K and his long-term mento...
Cardio Exercise Prescription
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lina presents with a history of chronic heart failure, increased dyspnea and fatigue during daily activities. The physical therapist plans to implemen...
Burn Interventions 2
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bronny presents to the hospital with burns to the anterior neck, chest, axillas, and cubital fossa regions. Which of the following positions is the BE...
Pediatric Hypotonia
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cory is a 3 year old child presents with severe hypotonia. The child has difficulty maintaining an upright posture and frequently collapses when attem...
Groin Pain Differential
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everett presents with right groin pain. Which of the following conditions must be ruled out FIRST? A) Diverticulitis B) L2 nerve root compression C) A...
MSK Joint Mobility Intervention
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Calen presents to physical therapy with difficulty grasping a glass. Upon examination, the patient has diminished joint mobility at the 2nd MCP and di...
MSK Postural Examination
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
During a clinical evaluation, Aiyinde notices that a patient exhibits pronounced anterior pelvic tilt while standing but this posture significantly im...
Dizziness Evaluation
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wajiha presents with a chief complaint of dizziness upon waking and difficulty washing hair secondary to the onset of dizziness. The patient is curren...
Complete Decongestive Therapy
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kyle is treating a patient in stage 1 of complete decongestive therapy (CDT). Which of the following is NOT a primary focus in this phase: A. Manual ...
Balance & Falls
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jared presents with a history of cataracts and has been experiencing repeated falls at home. Six months ago, his home was remodeled, and new carpets w...
Forefoot Pain Evaluation
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly a 30-year-old marathon runner presents with a gradual onset of persistent pain at the base of the first metatarsal, which intensifies during lon...
Cardiac Immediate Action
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jane has a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is performing marching and lunges during an in-home visit. The patient suddenly reports chest ...
Pediatric Lower Extremity Evaluation
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt, a 17-year-old athlete, experiences chronic muscle weakness, foot deformities (high arches and hammer toes), and sensory deficits in his legs and...
Multiple Sclerosis Interventions
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Suely a 40-year-old female with multiple sclerosis (MS) presents with ataxic gait, characterized by wide base of support, irregular steps, and difficu...
Diabetes & Wound Care
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Blakely is a 65-year-old female with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus presents with a non-healing wound on her left foot. The wound has been pres...
Anterior Knee Pain & Cycling
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Raj presents with anterior knee pain that worsens during prolonged cycling. Which of the following adjustments to the bike setup would be MOST benefic...
ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Caden is a physical therapist who notes that a patient with a recent ACL reconstruction is reluctant to perform weight-bearing exercises. The patient ...
Assistive Device Prescription 2
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Xavier is a patient who recently underwent hip replacement surgery and is now at a rehabilitation facility with a weight-bearing as tolerated (WBAT) s...
Acute Low Back Pain
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gerard arrives at physical therapy reporting acute lower back pain following an attempt to lift a heavy box. The pain radiates into both lower extremi...
Lower Extremity Lymphedema
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Margot, a 53-year-old woman, presents to physical therapy with bilateral, symmetrical enlargement of her legs extending from her hips to her ankles, s...
Drug Interactions
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jerry, a patient with type 2 diabetes, has been prescribed metformin to manage his blood glucose levels. The physical therapist understands that metfo...
Ulcer Examination
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Julian, a 59-year-old patient with a longstanding history of type 2 diabetes, presents with a chronic, non-healing wound on his foot. The wound is loc...
Respiratory Interventions
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Richard is a 75-year-old male patient being treated by physical therapy. In educating a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) abou...
Stroke & Motor Learning
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vivek is being seen by physical therapy after recovering well from a stroke. The patient is refining gait during the autonomous stage of motor learnin...
Right Congestive Heart Failure
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Henry presents with right-sided congestive heart failure and reports slight limitations in physical activity. The patient is comfortable at rest; howe...
Neurological Differential Diagnosis
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea is a 45-year-old patient presents to physical therapy with complaints of fluctuating muscle weakness, notably worsening toward the evening. The...
Ramp Specifications & ADA Requirements
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A physical therapy clinic is planning to install a new wheelchair ramp that incorporates a switchback for space efficiency. According to ADA guideline...
Pediatric Evaluation
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jessie is a 12-year-old male patient who presents with an onset of groin pain. The patient has a BMI of 28 and a recent growth spurt. The physical the...