Free Physiotherapy Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Physiotherapy practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A clinic stocks several superficial thermal agents. Under the FDA identification for physical medicine devices, what is a moist heat pack?

   1. A. Silica gel held in a fabric container that retains an elevated temperature and provides moist heat therapy for body surfaces
   2. B. A sealed plastic bag of chemicals that, once activated, provides either hot or cold therapy for body surfaces
   3. C. A plastic bag through which heated or chilled water is pumped to provide hot or cold therapy for body surfaces
   4. D. A hydrated silicate gel envelope that conforms to the contour of the body and provides cold therapy for body surfaces

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The federal device identification states that "A moist heat pack is a device intended for medical purposes that consists of silica gel in a fabric container used to retain an elevated temperature and that provides moist heat therapy for body surfaces." The other three choices are the identifications the same regulation gives to the hot or cold disposable pack, the water circulating hot or cold pack and the cold pack, so each names a real device but not the one asked about.

   Reference: CFR 21 Part 890 — 21 CFR 890.5730(a); compare 890.5710(a), 890.5720(a), 890.5700(a)

2. 2A clinician setting an interferential unit must choose the parameter that determines the low-frequency stimulation the tissue actually receives. Which output parameter is specified for interferential mode and for no other mode?

   1. A. Beat frequency, expressed in hertz
   2. B. Pulse width, expressed in microseconds
   3. C. Phase duration, expressed in microseconds
   4. D. Maximum phase charge, expressed in microcoulombs

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The output specification table carries the heading "For interferential modes only:" immediately above the beat frequency entry, whereas pulse width and frequency are reported for every mode, phase duration is reported for multiphasic waveforms generally, and maximum phase charge is reported for all modes at a 500 ohm load. Each distractor is therefore a real reported parameter, but none of them is mode-restricted in the way the question asks about.

   Reference: Guidance Document for Powered Muscle Stimulator 510(k)s — Guidance Document for Powered Muscle Stimulator 510(k)s, Attachment II, Section 3, Output Specifications

3. 3A clinic is purchasing a motorised unit that will pull on the patient's spine through belts and harnesses. Which federal device identification covers the motorised unit itself?

   1. A. Powered traction equipment, powered devices used with traction accessories to exert therapeutic pulling forces on the body
   2. B. Traction accessory, a nonpowered device used with powered traction equipment to aid in exerting therapeutic pulling forces
   3. C. Multi-function physical therapy table, a motorised table equipped to provide heat, traction and muscle relaxation therapy
   4. D. Pressure-applying device, a table with an adjustable overhead weight that presses on the back of a prone patient

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The regulation identifies the powered unit as follows: "Powered traction equipment consists of powered devices intended for medical purposes for use in conjunction with traction accessories, such as belts and harnesses, to exert therapeutic pulling forces on the patient's body." The other three options are the identifications of the traction accessory, the multi-function physical therapy table and the pressure-applying device, each a real device but not the powered traction unit.

   Reference: CFR 21 Part 890 — 21 CFR 890.5900(a); compare 890.5925(a), 890.5880(a), 890.5765(a)

4. 4A therapy laser is rated in a class that the federal performance standard treats as an acute hazard to the skin and eyes from direct radiation, but not from scattered radiation. Which class is that?

   1. A. Class IIIb
   2. B. Class IIIa
   3. C. Class IV
   4. D. Class II

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The standard's footnote to the class definitions states that "Class IIIb levels of laser radiation are considered to be an acute hazard to the skin and eyes from direct radiation." Class IV is defined as an acute hazard "from direct and scattered radiation," Class IIIa is described in terms of intrabeam and chronic viewing hazards, and Class II is limited to visible radiation above the Class IIa limits, so each distractor is a real class with a different hazard description.

   Reference: CFR 21 Part (1040) — 21 CFR 1040.10(b)(8) through (b)(11) and accompanying footnotes

5. 5A clinician sets up the Timed Up and Go test in the treatment room. According to the CDC assessment form, what does the test assess and how far away is the turning line placed?

   1. A. It assesses mobility, with a line 3 metres or 10 feet away identified on the floor
   2. B. It assesses static balance, with a line 3 metres or 10 feet away identified on the floor
   3. C. It assesses leg strength and endurance, with a line 2 metres or 6 feet away on the floor
   4. D. It assesses mobility, with a line 6 metres or 20 feet away identified on the floor

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The CDC form states the purpose as "To assess mobility" and directs the examiner to "identify a line 3 meters, or 10 feet away, on the floor." Static balance is the stated purpose of the 4-Stage Balance Test and leg strength and endurance is the stated purpose of the 30-Second Chair Stand, so options B and C name real purposes of other STEADI assessments, and option D doubles the published distance.

   Reference: Assessment Timed Up & Go (TUG) — CDC STEADI Assessment: Timed Up and Go, Purpose and Directions

6. 6A patient progresses from light to heavy loads on a leg press. According to the NSCA position statement on resistance training in older adults, in what order are human motor units recruited as load increases?

   1. A. In order of increasing motor neuron size, in accordance with the size principle
   2. B. In order of decreasing motor neuron size, so that the largest units fire first
   3. C. In random order determined by the descending drive from the motor cortex
   4. D. In order of increasing distance of the motor neuron from the spinal segment

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The position statement puts it directly: "human motor units are recruited in order of increasing motor neuron size, according to the “size principle” to accommodate increasing intensity or load." Recruitment is therefore orderly rather than random, it proceeds from the smallest units upward rather than from the largest downward, and the anatomical distance of the motor neuron is not the ordering variable.

   Reference: Nsca Rt Older Adults — NSCA Position Statement, Resistance Training for Older Adults, Part 1, intensity section

7. 7An adult patient asks how much aerobic activity is needed for substantial health benefits. What weekly amounts do the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans give for adults?

   1. A. At least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent combination
   2. B. At least 75 to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 150 to 300 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent combination
   3. C. At least 60 to 120 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 30 to 60 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent combination
   4. D. At least 300 to 450 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 150 to 225 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent combination

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The key guideline for adults reads: "For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) to 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity." Option B swaps the moderate and vigorous ranges, while options C and D halve and double the published target.

   Reference: Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition — Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, Key Guidelines for Adults

8. 8The NSCA groups stretching techniques into a fixed set of categories. Which four types does it name?

   1. A. Static, ballistic, dynamic and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
   2. B. Static, ballistic, isometric and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
   3. C. Static, dynamic, myofascial release and contract-relax antagonist-contract
   4. D. Passive, ballistic, dynamic and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The manual states: "There are four main types of stretching: static, ballistic, dynamic, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)." The distractors each substitute one member of that closed list with a real technique or descriptor drawn from the wider stretching literature, but the list in this source contains exactly the four named in option A.

   Reference: Nsca Basics Manual — Basics of Strength and Conditioning, Stretching During Warm-Up

9. 9The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans set one weekly requirement that applies to older adults but not to younger adults. What is it?

   1. A. Multicomponent physical activity that includes balance training as well as aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities
   2. B. Flexibility activity on at least three days a week in addition to aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities
   3. C. Bone-strengthening activity on at least three days a week in addition to aerobic and strengthening activities
   4. D. Supervised activity in a clinical setting whenever any chronic condition is present in the older adult

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The key guidelines just for older adults begin: "As part of their weekly physical activity, older adults should do multicomponent physical activity that includes balance training as well as aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities." Bone-strengthening on three days a week is the additional component set for children and adolescents, and neither a flexibility frequency nor mandatory clinical supervision appears in the guidelines for older adults.

   Reference: Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition — Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, Key Guidelines for Older Adults and for Children and Adolescents

10. 10A patient with two weeks of low back pain, no focal neurologic deficit and no red flags asks for an immediate lumbar MRI. What does the 2022 VA and Department of Defense guideline recommend in that situation?

    1. A. Against routinely obtaining imaging studies or performing invasive diagnostic tests
    2. B. In favour of plain radiographs first, reserving advanced imaging for persistent pain
    3. C. In favour of advanced imaging whenever the patient specifically requests the study
    4. D. Against imaging for the first 72 hours and in favour of imaging after that period

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The guideline gives a strong recommendation against imaging in this group: "For patients with acute low back pain, without focal neurologic deficits or other red flags (e.g., signs, symptoms, history), we recommend against routinely obtaining imaging studies or performing invasive diagnostic tests." Options B, C and D each convert that into a conditional endorsement of imaging that the recommendation does not contain.

    Reference: VA/DoD_CPG_the_Diagnosis_and_Treatment_of_Low_Back_Pain — VA/DoD Low Back Pain CPG 2022, Recommendation 3