The NPTE Podcast

A 62‑year‑old patient with ALS presents with tongue fasciculations and atrophy, a hoarse, whispering voice, and difficulty manipulating food. The patient also reports drooling and reflex coughing when swallowing. Which...

A patient has marked weakness of the right hip abductors. Which movement pattern is MOST likely to occur during the right midstance phase of gait? Find it all out in the podcast! Be prepared for the NPTE so that you can...

A physical therapist is using a special test to identify rotator cuff tears. In a recent diagnostic study, the test demonstrated a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85%. What does this value indicate? Find it all out...

A 55-year-old patient with chronic liver disease and a history of heavy alcohol use reports new diffuse muscle soreness and cramps. The PT notes no recent changes in activity level. Which finding would MOST strongly...

Which cluster of integumentary signs and symptoms is MOST likely to be present in a patient with progressive lymphedema? Find it all out in the podcast! Be prepared for the NPTE so that you can pass with flying colors...

A 28-year-old woman reports sudden onset low back pain that has been inconsistent and unrelated to movement. She notes recent abnormal vaginal spotting and describes new, sharp pain at the tip of her shoulder. Which...

A physical therapist evaluates a client who reports midback pain that has persisted for several weeks. The pain is described as deep, aching, and poorly localized. The client denies numbness or tingling in the upper...

A physical therapist is evaluating a patient in the outpatient clinic who reports progressive fatigue, orthostatic dizziness, and generalized weakness. During the exam, the therapist observes darkened pigmentation over...

The therapist reviews the Braden Scale to identify key areas influencing pressure‑injury risk. Which of the following groups BEST includes what other categories are assessed with the Braden Scale? Find it all out in the...

Do you know what the passing score is on the NPTE? Do you know how to increase it to get the required 600/800? Find it all out in the podcast! Be prepared for the NPTE so that you can pass with flying colors! Check out...

A patient in phase II cardiac rehabilitation is performing steady‑state treadmill exercise. During the session, the patient’s systolic blood pressure rises to 220 mm Hg, with no angina or dyspnea reported. Which of the...

A patient in a MVA sustained a high‑velocity cervical spine traction injury when the shoulder was violently depressed while the neck was forced into contralateral side‑bending. Examination reveals shoulder abduction...

A 68‑year‑old patient reports chronic lateral hip pain that worsens with weight‑bearing. Examination reveals painful and limited active hip flexion, pain with active hip extension, passive hip medial rotation of 20°...

A patient is receiving interferential current to the medial knee for pain control after a meniscal injury. Midway through treatment, the patient reports a sharp, localized burning sensation under one electrode. The...

A 68-year-old patient with a history of hyperlipidemia reports new bilateral thigh soreness and weakness that began gradually over the past month. She denies any recent increase in activity, and the pain is present at...