SULLIVAN SIEGELMAN INTENSIVE DRILLS
NAME: ___________________________ SCORE: _______
SCHOOL: _________________
1. Test utilized to differentiate between a vascular
dysfunction in the vertebrobasilar system and a
dysfunction of the vestibular system: (B-121)
a. Vertebral artery test
b. Maximum cervical compression test
c. Transverse ligament stress test
d. Military Brace test
e. Hautant’s test
2. An ambulatory patient recovering from a right CVA is
wearing a plastic AFO to stabilize the left foot. During gait
analysis, the PT observes lateral trunk flexion toward the
left as the patient bears weight on the left leg at
midstance. The best intervention to correct this problem
is: (B-112)
a. Provide a lift on the shoe of the involved leg
b. Provide a lift on the shoe of the normal leg
c. Strengthen hip flexors on the left side
d. Strengthen hamstrings on the left side
e. Strengthen hip abductors on the left side
3. A patient presents with difficulty with fast movement
speeds and fatigues easily. The PT decides on a strength
training program that specifically focuses on improving
fast-twitch fiber function. The optimal exercise
prescription to achieve this goal: (B-118)
a. High-intensity workloads for short durations
b. Low-intensity workloads for short durations
c. Low-intensity workloads for long durations
d. Low-intensity workloads for any duration
e. High-intensity workloads for long durations
4. A PT and a physician are at odds regarding a power
wheelchair for a 3-year-old child. The most important
factor for not recommending a power wheelchair in this
case would be the: (B-111)
a. Age of the child
b. Child has poor head and fine motor control
c. Child is nonverbal
d. Child has quadriplegic CP
e. NOTA
5. A postpartum patient with stress incontinence is referred
for physical therapy. The PT instructs the patient in pelvic
floor exercises. The best choice for initial exercise is:
a. Supine, squeeze the sphincters and hold for 10
seconds (B-109)
b. Sitting on toilet, stop and hold the flow of urine for
5 seconds during urination
c. Hooklying , bridge and hold for 5 seconds
d. Supine, squeeze the sphincters and hold for 3
seconds
e. NOTA
6. To correct for the problem of a forward festinating gait in
a patient with PD, the PT should: (B-117)
a. Use a toe wedge
b. Use a heel wedge
c. Increase cadence using a metronome
d. Increase stride length using floor markers
e. NOTA
7. A PT receives a home care referral from the nurse case
manager. An elderly man has lost functional
independence after the recent death of his wife. His past
medical history includes stroke with minimal residual
disability. Currently, he no longer goes out of his house
and rarely even gets out of his chair anymore/during the
initial session, the PT determines that depression may be
the cause of his increasing inactivity based on the
presence of: (B-192)
a. Low scores on geriatric depression scale
b. Sleep apnea and weight gain
c. Weight loss and social withdrawal
d. Complaints of increasing dizziness and palpitations
e. NOTA
8. An individual presents with chronic TMJ dysfunction.
Which of the following muscles should be addressed with
inhibitory or soft tissue lengthening techniques to
restore limited lateral movement of the mandible to the
left as a result of muscular tightness? (B-187)
a. Left digastrics muscle
b. Left geniohyoid muscle
c. Left temporalis muscle
d. Left medial pterygoid muscle
e. NOTA
9. After MI, a patient was placed on medications that
included a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. When
monitoring this patient’s response to exercise, the PT
expects this drug will cause HR to: (B-186)
a. Be low at rest and rise very little with exercise
b. Increases proportionally to changes in diastolic BP
c. Increase proportionally to changes in systolic BP
d. Be low at rest and rise linearly as a function of
increasing workload
e. NOTA
10. A patient in the ICU is referred to PT and presents with
significant shortness of breath. Notable on physical
examination is a deviated trachea to the right. Which of
the following processes would account for such finding?
a. Right hemothorax (B-183)
b. Right pneumothorax
c. Left lung collapse
d. Left hemothorax
e. Right pleural effusion
11. An elderly patient with a transfemoral amputation is
being fitted with a temporary prosthesis containing a
SACH prosthetic foot. This prosthetic foot: (B-181)
a. Allows full sagittal and frontal plane motions
b. Is an articulated foot with multiplanar motion
c. Allows limited sagittal plane motion with a small
amount of mediolateral motion
d. Absorbs energy through a series of bumpers
permitting sagittal plane motion only
e. NOTA
12. The PT receives a referral to treat a hospitalized patient
with adhesive capsulitis and a 5-year history of cirrhosis
and hepatitis B. The PT should: (C-77)
a. Ask the patient to wear gloves and avoid contact
b. Wear personal protection equipment when
transporting the patient to therapy
c. Use contact precautions
d. Use droplet transmission precautions
e. AOTA
13. The best initial intervention to manage hypertrophic
scars in a child with full-thickness burns to both arms is:
(2008 A-93)
a. Primary excision followed by autografts
b. Application of occlusive dressings
c. Application of compression stockings
d. Application of custom-made pressure garments
e. NOTA
14. A PT is beginning manual lymphatic drainage for a patient
recently diagnosed with secondary lymphedema. Initially,
proper bandaging for this condition requires a: (C-49)
a. Custom-made low elastic garment
b. Ace wrap
c. Comprilan
d. Gauze wrap
e. NOTA
15. An elderly individual was found unconscious at home
and was hospitalized with a diagnosis of CVA.
Examination by the PT reveals normal sensation and
movement on the left side of the body with impaired
touch, proprioception and pressure and paralysis on the
right side of the body. The right side of the lower face and
trunk are similarly impaired. The most likely location of
the CVA is the: (C-50)
a. Right parietal lobe
b. Left side of brainstem
c. Left parietal lobe
d. Spinal cord
e. Basal ganglia
16. A PT examination reveals posterior superior iliac spines
(PSIS) to be low on right, anterior superior iliac spine
(ASIS) high on right; standing flexion test shows that the
right PSIS moves first and farthest superiorly; Gillet’s test
demonstrates that the right PSIS moves inferiorly and
laterally less than the left, long sitting test shows that the
right malleolus moves short to long and sitting flexion
test is negative. In light of these findings, the PT’s
diagnosis is: (C-21)
a. Iliac inflare on left
b. Right posterior rotated innominate
c. Left posterior rotated innominate
d. Left anterior rotated innominate
e. Left upslip
SULLIVAN SIEGELMAN INTENSIVE DRILLS
17. A patient presents with pain and paresthesia over the first
two metatarsal heads of her left foot. Pain is worse after
prolonged periods of weight bearing. She typically wears
shoes with 3-inch heels and pointed toes. The best
intervention is: (B-126)
a. Pad placed proximal to metatarsal heads
b. Scaphoid pad to support the MLA
c. Pad placed distal to metatarsal heads
d. Thomas heel to support MLA
e. NOTA
18. A patient with spinal cord injury is having difficulty
learning how to transfer from mat to wheelchair. The
patient just cannot seem to get the idea of how to
coordinate this movement. In this case, the most effective
use of feedback during early motor learning is to: (B-125)
a. Focus on guided movement and proprioceptive
input
b. Focus on verbal cueing and contact guarding
c. Provide feedback only after a brief 5-sec delay
d. Focus on knowledge of performance and
proprioceptive inputs
e. Focus on Knowledge of results and visual input
19. A patient diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis without
discal herniation or bulging has left L5 neural
compression. The most likely structure compressing the
nerve root is the: (2008 A-183)
a. Posterior longitudinal ligament
b. Supraspinous ligament
c. Ligamentum flavum
d. Interspinous ligament
e. Anterior longitudinal ligament
20. A young adult develops patellofemoral pain syndrome
(PFPS) after starting a new exercise class. Which
combination of static and dynamic postural alignment
tests and measures would be of GREATEST benefit in
identifying potential abnormal patellofemoral joint
biomechanics? 2015 A-92
a. Patellar baja and hop test
b. Q-angle and step-down test
c. Patella alta and heel raise
d. Genu recurvatum and single leg stance
21. During a postural screen for chronic shoulder pain, the
PT observes excessive internal rotation of the shoulders
and winging of the scapula during overhead motion.
Intervention should focus on: (C-35)
a. Strengthening of upper trapezius and stretching
of pectoral muscles
b. Strengthening of middle and lower trapezius and
stretching of pectoral muscles
c. Strengthening of rhomboids and stretching of
upper trapezius
d. Strengthening of pectoral muscles and
stretching of upper trapezius
e. NOTA
22. A patient strained the lower back muscles 3 weeks ago
and now complains of pain (6/10) . upon examination, the
therapist identifies bilateral muscle spasm fromT10-L4.
The PT elects to apply interferential current to help
reduce pain and spasm. The best electrode configuration
to choose in this case would be: (B-36)
a. Two electrodes with current flow parallel to the
spinal column
b. Four electrodes with current flow parallel to the
spinal column
c. Two electrodes with current flow perpendicular
to the spinal column
d. Four electrodes with current flow perpendicular
to the spinal column
e. Four electrodes diagonal to the spinal column
23. The patient with left hemiplegia would least likely to
respond in therapy if the motor learning strategies
emphasized: (B-23)
a. Encouraging the patient to slow down
b. Maximum use of verbal cues
c. Maximum use of demonstration and gesture
d. Simplification or restructuring of the environment
e. NOTA
24. During the examination of the cervical spine of a client for
C5 radiculopathy, small groupings of nevi are noted near
the superior angle of the right scapula. The next action
the PT should take is: (B-148)
a. Ask the patient about any history of moles and
examine them closely
b. Contact the physician immediately
c. Perform a vertebral artery test because the nevi
are obviously benign growths
d. Photograph the area in order to provide baseline
documentation for the patient’s record
e. NOTA
25. A patient sprained the left ankle four days ago. The
patient complains of pain (4/10) and there is moderate
swelling that is getting worse. At this time, which
intervention would be best to use? (B-143)
a. Cold whirlpool followed by massage
b. Intermittent compression followed by elevation
c. Cold/ intermittent compression combination
with the limb elevated
d. Contrast bath followed by limb elevation
e. Limb elevation and diuretics
26. A patient with a left CVA exhibits right hemiparesis and
strong dominant hemiplegic synergies in the lower
extremity. Which activity would be best to break up these
synergies? (B-139)
a. Bridging, pelvic elevation
b. Supine PNF D2 flexion with knee flexing and D2
extension with knee extending
c. Supine-lying hip extension with adduction
d. Foot tapping in a sitting position
e. AOTA
27. A patient presents with complaints of neck pain on the
left. During the AROM examination, the PT observes the
following osteokinematic neck motions—full side
bending right, full forward flexion, full rotation to the
right, limited and painful extension, limited and painful
left side-bending and limited and painful left rotation.
Based on this pattern, what is the arthrokinematic
restriction? (B-173)
a. Restriction with upglide of a facet on the left
b. Restriction with upglide of a facet on the right
c. Restriction with downglide of a facet on the left
d. Restriction with downglide of a facet on the right
e. NOTA
28. The therapist suspects that a patient recovering from a
middle cerebral artery stroke is exhibiting a pure
hemianopsia. This can be examined using a: (B-46)
a. Penlight held approximately 12 inches from the eyes
and moved to the extremes of gaze right and left
b. Visual confrontation test with a moving finger
c. Distance acuity chart placed on a well-lighted wall at
patient’s eye level at 20 feet away
d. Penlight held approximately 6 inches from the eyes
and moved inward toward the face
e. NOTA
29. A keratolytic enzyme used for selective debridement:
a. Nitrofurazone (B-17)
b. panafil
c. sulfamylon
d. silver nitrate
e. maggots
30. Chronological age of the infant when he begins to walk
unassisted: (B-37)
a. 5 months
b. 8-9 months
c. 6 months
d. 1-2 months
e. 10-15 months
31. A patient is able to walk independently with an assistive
device in the hall outside PT gym. When asked to walk
across the hospital lobby and through a revolving door,
the patient slows down considerably and stops by the
revolving door, unable to proceed. The PT determines:
a. Serial skills are intact while continuous skills are
impaired (2015 A-100)
b. Open skills and externally paced skills are
impaired while closed skills are intact
c. Co-incident timing is impaired while open and
closed skills are intact
d. Both open and closed skills are impaired
e. NOTA
SULLIVAN SIEGELMAN INTENSIVE DRILLS
32. When prescribing an exercise for a young patient with
primary lymphedema for the lower extremity, the Pt
should initially have the patient begin with: (C-123)
a. Step aerobics
b. Soccer
c. Sport that patient enjoys
d. Running no more than 3 miles at a time
e. Brisk walking
33. The posture of a patient’s forefoot is an inverted position
relative to the rearfoot while in subtalar neutral. What is
the PT’s BEST choice to document this finding?
a. Forefoot varus (2015 A-17)
b. Medial column equinus
c. Metatarsus abductus
d. Forefoot valgus
34. An appropriate fine motor behavior that should be
established by 13 month of age is the ability to:(2015 A-96)
a. Pick up a raisin with a fine pincer grasp
b. Build a tower of two blocks
c. Hold a cup by the handle while drinking
d. NOTA
e. AOTA
35. A patient with a 2 inch stage II decubitus ulcer over the
left lateral malleolus is referred for physical therapy. The
PT notes a greenish, pungent exudates at the wound site.
The PT decides to use electrical stimulation. The best
choice of polarity and electrode placement is: (B-157)
a. Anode placed in the wound
b. Cathode placed in the wound
c. Anode placed proximal to the wound
d. Cathode placed proximal to the wound
e. NOTA
36. A PT is examining a patient with vestibular dysfunction.
The patient is asked to assume a long sitting position
with the head turned to the right side. The PT then quickly
moves the patient backward so that the head is extended
over the end of the table approximately 30 deg below the
horizontal. This maneuver causes severe dizziness and
vertigo. A repeat test with the head turned to the left
produces no symptoms. The PT reports these findings as
a: (B-152)
a. Positive positional test
b. Positive sharpened Romberg test
c. Positive left hallpike-dix test
d. Positive rotatory chair test
e. NOTA
37. A patient underwent a right THR 4 months ago. The
patient is now referred to PT for gait evaluation. The
patient demonstrates shortened stride length on the
right. This patient most likely has: (B-146)
a. Weak quadriceps
b. Weak hip flexors
c. Contracted hamstrings
d. Contracted hip flexors
e. AOTA
38. A patient with multiple sclerosis exhibits moderate
fatigue during 30 minute exercise session. When the
patient returns for the next regularly scheduled session 2
days later the patient reports going right to bed after the
last session. Exhaustion was so severe; the patient was
unable to get out of bed until late afternoon of the next
day. The PT’s best strategy is to: (2015 A-43)
a. Switch the patient to exercising in a warm pool
b. Utilize a massed practice schedule
c. Treat the patient in a warm relaxing environment
d. Utilize a distributed practice schedule
e. Discharge the patient
39. A diagnosis of bicipital tendinitis has been made
following an evaluation of a patient with shoulder pain,
the best shoulder position to expose the tendon of the
long head of biceps for application of phonophoresis
would be: (2006 A-48)
a. Abduction
b. Medial rotation and abduction
c. Horizontal adduction
d. Horizontal abduction
e. Lateral rotation and extension
40. ECG changes that may occur with exercise in an
individual with coronary artery disease (CAD) and prior
myocardial infarction include: (B-174)
a. Bradycardia with ST segment elevation
b. Significant arrhythmias early on in exercise with
a shortened QRS
c. Bradycardia with ST segment depression > 3 mm
below baseline
d. Tachycardia at a relatively low intensity of
exercise with ST segment depression
e. NOTA
41. A patient is referred for postoperative rehabilitation
following a Type II SLAP repair performed 1 week ago.
The PT should: (B-171)
a. Perform careful ROM of the shoulder External
rotators
b. Perform careful ROM of shoulder internal rotators
c. Defer intervention during maximum protection phase
d. Focus on biceps brachii strengthening and
stretching
e. NOTA
42. A therapist is working in a major medical center and is
new to the acute care setting. An orientation session for
new employees concerns infection control. The PT
recognizes that the most common infection transmitted
to health care workers is: (B-165)
a. Tuberculosis
b. Hepatitis B
c. HIV
d. Hepatitis A
e. NOTA
43. A patient with a long-standing TBI comes into an
outpatient clinic using a standard wheelchair. The patient
demonstrates sacral sitting with a rounded, kyphotic
upperback. The PT suspects the cause of this posture is:
(B-162)
a. Excessive leg length from seat to the foot plate
b. Excessive seat width
c. Decreased floor to seat height
d. Uneven weight distribution on the thighs and
ischial seat
e. NOTA
44. Metabolic syndrome risk factors include the following,
except: (B-99)
a. High SBP >130 mmHg and DBP= 85mmHg
b. Fasting plasma glucose level > 100 mg/dL
c. Waist circumference> 40 inches in male, >35
inches for female
d. Triglyceride level is 130 mg/Dl
e. HDL level < 40 mg/dL
45. A patient in an exercise class develops muscle weakness
and fatigue. Examination reveals leg cramps and
hyporeflexia. Abnormalities on the ECG include: flat T
wave, prolonged QT interval and depressed ST segment.
These findings are suggestive of: (C-183)
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Hypocalcemia
c. Hypokalemia
d. Hyponatremia
e. Hypernatremia
46. In a patient demonstrating early lift-off during the
preswing phase of gait, the mobility of which joints of the
ankle and foot are important for assessing the ability to
maintain forward progression of the foot? (2015 A-78)
a. Subtalar and first MTP joints
b. Subtalar and talonavicular joints
c. Talocrural and first MTP joint
d. Talocrural and talonavicular joints
e. Subtalar and talocrural joints
47. A patient with spastic hemiplegia is referred to physical
therapy for ambulation training. The patient is having
difficulty in rising to a standing position due to co-
contraction of hamstring and quadriceps. The PT elects
to use biofeedback as an adjunct to help break this
pattern. For knee extension, the biofeedback protocol
should consist of: (C-166)
a. Low-detection sensitivity , with electrodes
placed close together
b. High-detection sensitivity , with electrodes
placed close together
c. High detection sensitivity, with electrodes
placed far apart
d. Low-detection sensitivity , with electrodes
placed far apart
e. NOTA
SULLIVAN SIEGELMAN INTENSIVE DRILLS
48. A patient is referred for PT following a fracture of femur 6
months ago. The cast has been removed but the patient
is unable to volitionally contract the quadriceps. The PT
decides to apply electrical stimulation to the quadriceps
muscle. The best choice of electrode size and placement
is: (2008 A-116)
a. Large electrodes, widely spaced
b. Small electrodes, widely spaced
c. Small electrodes, closely spaced
d. Large electrodes, closely spaced
e. NOTA
49. Following major surgery of the left hip, a patient
ambulates with a trendelenburg gait. Examination of the
left hip reveals abductor weakness (gluteus medius 3/5)
and ROM limitations in flexion and external rotation. As
part of the intervention, the PT opts to include functional
electrical stimulation to help improve the gait pattern.
Stimulation should be initiated for the: (2015 A-36)
a. Right abductors during swing on right
b. Left abductors during stance on left
c. Left abductors during swing on left
d. Right abductors during stance on right
e. NOTA
50. A patient has lumbar spinal stenosis encroaching on the
spinal cord. The PT should educate the patient to avoid:
(2015 A-44)
a. Swimming stroke using a crawl stroke
b. Bicycling using a recumbent cycle ergometer
c. Use of rowing machine
d. Tai chi activities
e. NOTA