Want to test your assessment knowledge before the NPTE exam? Below are free sample flashcards from the 160-card assessment section of our 1010-card NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination) deck, which covers Forward Bend, UMN, LMN, Upper Motor Neuron and more.
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A patient's SBP increases from 120 to 145 mmHg during the first stage of a treadmill test, but drops to 130 mmHg in the second stage despite increased workload. What is the MOST appropriate action?
Show answer →Terminate exercise immediately. This is an exertional hypotensive response. FSBPT/ACSM criteria for termination include an SBP drop >10 mmHg from baseline despite an increase in workload, especially when accompanied by other signs of ischemia. Normal response is an SBP increase of ~10 mmHg per 1 MET. A drop indicates the heart cannot meet the metabolic demand, suggesting severe CAD or pump failure.
A PT performs the Adam’s Forward Bend test on a 13-year-old with suspected scoliosis. A right-sided rib hump is observed. Describe the vertebral rotation and the side of the spinal convexity for this patient.
Show answer →In scoliosis, the rib hump occurs on the side of the convexity due to vertebral rotation toward the convex side (the spinous processes rotate toward the concavity). A right rib hump indicates a Right Thoracic Scoliosis (convexity to the right). Exam Strategy: Remember Rotation follows Convexity. If the hump is on the right, the curve is a right curve. Distractors often flip the relationship between the rib hump, rotation, and convexity.
A patient with LBP (duration 10 days) has no symptoms distal to the knee and hip IR > 35°. Which additional finding would most strongly predict success with lumbar manipulation?
Show answer →The Clinical Prediction Rule (CPR) for Lumbar Manipulation includes 5 criteria: 1) Duration < 16 days, 2) No symptoms distal to the knee, 3) FABQ-Work score < 19, 4) Hypomobility of the lumbar spine, and 5) At least one hip with > 35° internal rotation. Clinical Pearl: 4/5 positive criteria increases the probability of success from 45% to 95%. NPTE Strategy: Focus on the "Duration < 16 days" and "No symptoms distal to the knee" as they are the most frequently tested components.
Upon protrusion, a patient's tongue deviates to the right side. The PT also notes atrophy and fasciculations on the right side of the tongue. Is this an Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) or Lower Motor Neuron (LMN) lesion?
Show answer →LMN lesion of the Right CN XII (Hypoglossal Nerve). The tongue deviates toward the weak side (licks the wound). Atrophy and fasciculations are hallmark signs of LMN involvement. An UMN lesion (e.g., motor cortex stroke) would cause deviation to the side opposite the lesion WITHOUT atrophy or fasciculations.
An infant is held horizontally in the air in a prone position. The infant extends the neck, trunk, and hips. What reflex is this, and what does its absence indicate?
Show answer →Landau Reflex (Superman position). It emerges at 3-4 months and integrates by 12-24 months. NPTE Strategy: This is a postural reflex, not a primitive reflex. Its absence is often seen in infants with hypotonia (e.g., Down Syndrome) or motor delays. It is a key test for total body extensor tone. If the PT flexes the infant's head, the legs should also flex (breaking the extension).
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Try 30 free NPTE cards firstThe full NPTE deck contains 1010 flashcards, and 160 of them focus on assessment. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our NPTE deck dedicates 160 of 1010 cards (16%) to assessment — always cross-check the official FSBPT exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the NPTE preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1010 cards is a one-time $7.
Basics
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Diagnostics
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Pathology
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Physiology
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