NPTE Clinical Files | Physical Therapy

Initial Course of Action

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joscelin receives a referral for a patient with a diagnosis that the therapist is unfamiliar with. What is the INITIAL course of action? A. Decline th...

HIPAA

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Henry is treating a patient with severe complications after right total knee arthroplasty. The therapist is preparing a new total knee arthroplasty pr...

Upper Extremity Nerve Examination

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tamia presents with an unspecified work-related injury to her right upper extremity. Upon examination, the patient demonstrates weakness in wrist flex...

Chronic Anemia

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie is a patient with chronic anemia who is participating in a physical therapy program. Which of the following signs should the physical therapis...

Post Surgical Ankle/Foot

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sahar is educating her student about surgical protocols of the foot and ankle. A patient who presents two weeks post-surgery for an Achilles tendon re...

3 Secrets To Passing The NPTE in 2024

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast episode, Dr. Kyle Rice, also known as Coach K, focuses on the mission of the PT Hustle and 3 tips for helping any physical therapist P...

Upper Extremity Neurological Signs and Symptoms

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy is a 55 year old male who presents with numbness and tingling in both hands, loss of pain and temperature sensation in a glove-like distributio...

Orthostatic Hypotension

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blake wants to reduce the risk of orthostatic hypotension in a patient with low blood pressure. The physical therapist should: A. Encourage slow trans...

Vestibular Caloric Test

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Copeland is evaluating a 55-year-old patient who presents with a mild case of unilateral vestibular hypofunction and associated hearing loss on the le...

Down Syndrome Examination

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Peter is a physical therapist who is working with a 3-year-old child who has Down syndrome. The therapist observes increased flexibility and hypermobi...

Shoulder Pain Telehealth Visit

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kayla is a physical therapist who is evaluating a patient with shoulder pain via telehealth. The patient is unable to accurately palpate the area of m...

Home Modifications

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Frankie is a physical therapist who, during a home health visit, notices that the patient's home has several potential safety hazards. What is the...

Lateral Epicondylitis

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Setting: Sports Clinic Gender: Female Age: 28 years Presenting Problem/Current Condition: Pain in the right elbow after increasing the frequency of...

Addison's Examination

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wendy presents with a recent diagnosis of Addison's disease and has. been referred to physical therapy. During exercise, the therapist should expe...

Hypothyroidism & Interventions

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Burton is a 45-year-old male patient with a long-standing history of hypothyroidism who presents with complaints of increasing fatigue, cold intoleran...

NPTE Clinical Scenario Acute Care

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Question 1: Given the patient's medication and medical history, which complication is he at an increased risk for during mobility training A) Orth...

Lower Extremity Muscle Actions

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

June presents with complaints of pain during the midstance to terminal stance phase of gait. Upon examination, there's excessive pronation of the ...

Foot Ulcer

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Belinda is a 46-year-old patient with a history of diabetes presents with a non-healing ulcer on the plantar surface of the foot. Upon examination, th...

NPTE Stroke Question

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kelly is a 60-year-old patient who is post-stroke and exhibits a steppage gait pattern. What is the MOST likely underlying neuromuscular deficit contr...

Research Correlation

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Janie is a physical therapist who is conducting research to determine the relationship between hours of standing per day and the severity of lower bac...

Knee Pain

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Roger is a 45-year-old is an avid cyclist who presents with anterior knee pain, especially after long rides. The pain is localized near the patellar t...

ACL Reconstruction Protocol

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jason is a 25-year-old soccer player who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury 8 weeks ago and underwent surgical repair. Current thera...

Examination Findings & Congestive Heart Failure

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Betty is 55-year-old female with a history of congestive heart failure who presents with complaints of dyspnea during moderate activities. She mention...

Cardiopulmonary Findings

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Charese presents a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) performs a six-minute walk test. Which outcome, if observed during the test...

Total Hip Arthoplasty Posterior Approach

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Vicky is 67-year-old female with advanced osteoarthritis is scheduled for a total hip arthroplasty. The orthopedic surgeon decides on a posterior appr...

Low Energy Hip Fracture

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jess is working with a patient who has sustained a low-energy hip fracture. These types of fractures are MOST common in which population? A. High-perf...

Motor Vehicle Accident

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kemmie is a 48-year-old female patient, who was recently involved in a motor vehicle accident and presents with a T10 level spinal cord injury. In add...

Myocardial Infarction 2

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jerry presents with a history of myocardial infarction and reports experiencing chest pain during exercise. Which of the following interventions would...

Frequent Falls & Romberg

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Heather is a 65-year-old patient being evaluated for balance issues and frequent falls. She exhibits a wide-based, unsteady gait and a positive Romber...

Shoulder Limitations NPTE Favorite

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jimare presents with a rotator cuff injury with limitations into internal rotation passively but has full active external range of motion. Which of th...

O2 Saturation

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jaquay is treating a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who complains of dyspnea during daily activities. The patient's SpO...

Medications - Baclofen

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Blane is reviewing a patient's electronic health record and notes that the patient has been prescribed baclofen. The therapist should understand t...

Modified Ashworth Scale

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bethany is evaluating a patient with hemiplegia who has increased tone in the upper extremity. The therapist uses the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) to...

Neural Function

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse presents with decreased sensation in the left leg and reports difficulty with dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot. Which of the following ner...

Total Hip Arthroplasy Precautions

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jess is treating an elderly female in the acute care setting who has just had an uncemented total hip arthroplasty via a posterior approach. Which of ...

Severe Headache Differential

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lani is a 15-year-old male who presents with sudden onset of severe headache, neck stiffness, photophobia and a fever. On examination, he has both Ker...

MSK Special Tests

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Wei presents with severe pain and swelling in her knee after a fall. The therapist performs a diagnostic test for a medial meniscus tear, which result...

Parkinson's Disease Treatment

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Madison is treating a patient with Parkinson's disease who is experiencing gait dysfunction. The therapist decides to incorporate rhythmical audit...

Rotator Cuff Tear Interventions

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kofi is a physical therapist treating a patient with an acute rotator cuff tear. Which of the following interventions is MOST appropriate for improvin...

Neural Symptoms

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jackson presents with complaints of numbness and tingling throughout their right hand. The therapist performs a neural tension test on the patient, wh...

Medication Polarity

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Niamh is a 22-year-old patient with a previous forearm laceration presenting with a raised scar that is tender to touch. The therapist would like to u...

TENS Parameters

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sajan presents with lower back pain and reports that the pain has been persistent without lasting relief. The treating therapist would like to use low...

Visceral Evaluation

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kaida patient presents with severe epigastric pain that radiates to her back, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. She reports a history of heavy alcoh...

Bone Mineral Density & Exercise

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hadiya is a 60-year-old female who presents to physical therapy with a diagnosis of generalized weakness and a bone Mineral Density T-Score of -1.5. W...

Exercise Response

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Freyja presents with a history of myocardial infarction and reports experiencing chest pain during exercise. Which of the following interventions woul...

Thomas Test

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Efe presents to physical therapy with hip pain. During a routine examination, the patient lacks hip extension, has a positive Thomas test, and has exc...

Cardiovascular Interventions

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dariana is a 70-year-old patient who presents to physical therapy with a history of congestive heart failure. Upon examination, the patient has signif...

Physical Therapy Ethics 2

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aiko is treating an uninsured patient who cannot afford the cost of treatment. The patient's condition is chronic and requires specialized ongoing...

THR Complications

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Laird is treating a patient who has recently undergone a posterolateral total hip replacement surgery. Which of the following postoperative complicati...

Pediatric Musculoskeletal Examination

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Janese is a young child who presents to physical therapy with a medical diagnosis of clubfoot. Which of the following is the correct description: &nbs...

Subacromial Impingement

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lizzie is performing a routine examination on a patient with a suspected subacromial impingement. Which of the following should be assessed FIRST? &nb...

Patient Tardiness

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

India is treating a patient who is frequently late or misses appointments. The patient has a history of poor time management and has apologized for th...

Physical Therapy Ethics

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hannah is treating a patient who discloses that they are currently experiencing depression and anxiety. The patient expresses concern that these condi...

Chronic Low Back Pain

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Janie is a 50-year-old female who presents with a complaint of chronic low back pain. On examination, the patient reports that she spends most of her ...

Referred Pain

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hal is researching common referral sites for pathologies and conditions that affect his patient population. Which of the following is MOST likely asso...

Cardiorespiratory Conditions

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

April is examining a patient with cardiorespiratory dysfunction. The patient denies any co-existing respiratory disorder however reports a recent trau...

Types of Pain

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jessica, 15-year-old female patient sustained an injury while rollerblading, landing on her right arm. She describes the pain as “deep, nagging, &am...

Cardiac Conditions

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Blake is a 45-year-old male patient with chest pain at rest, pallor, palpitations, hypertension, and an elevated blood serum cholesterol level of 242 ...

Lower Leg Differential Diagnosis

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan presents with anterolateral leg pain and reports progressive worsening since an increase in his training regimen over the past two weeks. Symptom...

Wound Classification

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kemp is treating a patient with lymphedema who presents to physical therapy with a script for wound care. The patient’s chart describes the wound be...

Pulse Assessment

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rosa presents with a history of CAD and has complaints of pale cool skin on the right lower extremity. The therapist suspects a femoral artery dysfunc...

Gait Interventions

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Estephania is treating a patient with a transfemoral amputation who presents with excessive right hip flexion during routine gait analysis. Upon exami...

Cardiac Rehabilitation

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bhava is a physical therapist who is educating a group of practitioners on indications for cardiac rehabilitation. Which of the following diagnoses is...

Diastasis Recti

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Heather is a 32-year-old who presents two weeks postpartum with low back pain. She has a referral to evaluate and treat her 2.25cm diastasis recti. Wh...

Neurological Assessement & Sensory Function

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Blherim performs a routine examination of a patient's neurological function of their hand. Using calipers with a fine tip, the patient can perceive tw...

Musculoskeletal Origin

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny presents with an idiopathic onset of anterior shoulder pain. Which of the following is NOT consistent with a musculoskeletal origin:   A. N...

Overpronation

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse presents with complaints of right lateral knee pain. Upon gait assessment, the patient has significant overpronation on the right. Which of the ...

Cryotherapy

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sohaila is a clinical instructor testing her student on the physiological effects of cryotherapy. Which of the following is NOT an effect of cryothera...

Pusher's Syndrome

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Roger is status post cerebrovascular accident and is being evaluated by physical therapy. The patient seems to disregard safety and repeatedly falls o...

Wound Functional Outcomes

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny is assessing an immobilized patient with a sacral pressure wound. During the assessment, the therapist examines the change in wound and surround...

Diabetes Symptoms

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hasim is educating a patient on the negative effects of diabetes on the body. Which of the following is NOT a sign or symptom of untreated or uncontro...

Manual Muscle Testing

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Juri is performing elbow flexion manual muscle testing on a 16-year-old male athlete. Elbow flexion was graded a 4 out of 5, and the motion was strong...

Sensitivity & Specificity

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mariah finds in the literature that the Homans’ sign to screen for DVT is no longer advocated because the test lacks sensitivity and specificity. Wh...

Hypovolemia

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jeroomie presents with suspected hypovolemia after a long outing in the sun. Which of the following is the MOST anticipated finding:   A. Arteria...

BPPV

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Simon presents to the clinic with complaints of "room spinning" and transient nausea. The evaluating therapist suspects cupulolithiasis. Which of the ...

Nerve Impingement

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Marco presents to physical therapy complaining of diminished grip strength and neck discomfort at rest. Upon examination, the patient has weakened fin...

Breathing Techniques

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Parneet is instructing a patient on properly performing stacked breathing. Which of the following is the MOST likely indication for stacked breathing:...

Pearson Coefficient

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jethroe oversees a research study assessing the relationship between the frequency of exercise per week and the number of falls in elderly subjects. T...

Cognitive Assessment

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brenda is treating a patient with a recent brain injury. The therapist applies a strong noxious stimulus to the patient's forearm to elicit a response...

Reducing Muscle Tone

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Breancha is treating a patient with Multiple Sclerosis and marked extensor tone in the lower extremities. Which of the following is the MOST effective...

Berg Balance Scale

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hughandra decides to evaluate the balance of an elderly patient using the Berg Balance Scale. Which of the following is NOT an area examined using thi...

Vestibular Rehabilitation 2

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com Nywening is treating a patient diagno...

Ankylosing Spondylitis

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Siobahn is a 17-year-old male w...

Joint Mobilization

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com Aiden is being evaluated for mild dis...

Gait Analysis & Initial Contact

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Carmello is performing a gait a...

Falls & Meds

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Francine has a past medical his...

Plumb Line 2

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?  Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com Gupta is assessing a patient's posture...

Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury Findings

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?  Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Vidhi is performing a chart revi...

Scapular Dysfunction 2

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Laura is being re-evaluated 12 ...

Causes of Lymphedema

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com Hemisha is a student clinical intern ...

Lateral Trunk Bending

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com Bebet is recovering from a right CVA ...

Parkinson's Disease Plan of Care

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Eddy presents with a history of...

Leg Length Discrepancy

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com Kevin assesses a patient’s function...

Weight Bearing Precautions

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Rani is being treated status po...

Median Nerve Palsy

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Audra presents with wasting of ...

Hypoventilation & Differential Diagnosis

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Saanvi is being treated by phys...

Cobb Angle

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Ryland, a 13-year-old male, pre...

Diabetic Polyneuropathy

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?  Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com Manny presents to physical therapy wit...

Iontophoresis

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?  Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com Kenny is looking to facilitate scar he...

Exertional Chest Pain

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you looking for a bundle of Coach K’s Top MSK Cheatsheets?   Look no further: www.nptecheatsheets.com  Devaroy presents to physical th...