Free Physiotherapist mock test

Physiotherapist sample questions with answers

10 more original exam-style Physiotherapist questions, worked in full. They are not real or recalled exam questions, and none of them is in the mock above or on the bank page, so sit the mock first if you have not.

1. Question 1 · Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

   A patient with a transtibial prosthesis demonstrates excessive knee flexion and instability at initial contact and early stance. Which prosthetic/alignment factor is a likely cause?

   1. AThe prosthetic foot is set too far posterior or the socket is aligned in excessive flexion, effectively placing the foot too far forward relative to the knee
   2. BThe socket is perfectly aligned and the gait is normal
   3. CThe cause is always weak hip abductors only
   4. DExcessive suspension of the prosthesis
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. The prosthetic foot is set too far posterior or the socket is aligned in excessive flexion, effectively placing the foot too far forward relative to the knee

   Excessive knee flexion instability in early stance in a transtibial prosthesis is commonly linked to alignment that increases the knee flexion moment, such as a foot positioned too far anterior relative to the knee or a socket set in excessive flexion. Recognizing alignment causes (not solely muscle weakness) is essential in prosthetic gait analysis.

   Reference: Seymour, Prosthetics and Orthotics: Lower Limb and Spinal (2002); Kisner & Colby, Therapeutic Exercise, 7th ed. (2018)

2. Question 2 · Physical Therapy in Special Populations

   According to Fried's frailty phenotype, which combination of criteria is used to classify an older adult as frail?

   1. APresence of 3 or more of: unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, weakness (grip), slow gait speed, low physical activity
   2. BPresence of any one of: hypertension, diabetes, arthritis
   3. CA Mini-Mental State Examination score below 24
   4. DA body mass index above 30 with reduced albumin
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Presence of 3 or more of: unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, weakness (grip), slow gait speed, low physical activity

   Fried's phenotype defines frailty as meeting 3 or more of five criteria: unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, weak grip strength, slow walking speed, and low physical activity; 1-2 criteria indicate pre-frailty. The other options describe comorbidity, cognition, or nutritional markers, not the frailty phenotype.

   Reference: Fried LP et al., Journal of Gerontology (2001)

3. Question 3 · Therapeutic Exercise & Exercise Prescription

   Early after ACL reconstruction, closed kinetic chain exercises are often preferred over open kinetic chain knee extension because closed chain exercises:

   1. AProduce greater isolated anterior tibial translation and ACL strain
   2. BAre performed only in non-weight-bearing positions
   3. CEliminate all quadriceps activity
   4. DGenerate compressive joint loading and co-contraction that reduce anterior shear strain on the graft
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Generate compressive joint loading and co-contraction that reduce anterior shear strain on the graft

   Closed kinetic chain exercises create joint compression and hamstring-quadriceps co-contraction that limit anterior tibial translation and reduce shear strain on the healing ACL graft, making them safer early in rehabilitation. Open chain knee extension near terminal range produces greater anterior tibial translation and graft strain; closed chain exercises do not eliminate quadriceps activity and are weight-bearing by definition.

   Reference: Kisner C, Colby LA. Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques, 7th ed. F.A. Davis, 2018

4. Question 4 · Patient Assessment, Clinical Decision Making & Differential Diagnosis

   A patient reports right shoulder-tip pain that is not reproduced by any shoulder movement, palpation or resisted testing, but worsens after fatty meals and is associated with right upper-quadrant discomfort. This pattern is MOST consistent with:

   1. AReferred pain from gallbladder pathology via diaphragmatic (C3-C5/phrenic) irritation
   2. BSupraspinatus tendinopathy
   3. CCervical C5 radiculopathy
   4. DAcromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Referred pain from gallbladder pathology via diaphragmatic (C3-C5/phrenic) irritation

   Shoulder-tip pain unaffected by shoulder examination but linked to fatty-meal aggravation and right upper-quadrant symptoms suggests gallbladder disease referring pain via diaphragmatic/phrenic (C3-C5) irritation. True musculoskeletal or radicular shoulder problems are reproduced by movement, palpation, resisted tests or neural provocation, which are absent here.

   Reference: Goodman CC, Snyder TEK. Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists, 6th ed. (Elsevier, 2018)

5. Question 5 · Sports Physiotherapy

   During movement screening, an athlete shows scapular winging and weak lower trapezius with dominant upper trapezius activity during arm elevation. This altered force couple most directly predisposes to which problem?

   1. ASubacromial (shoulder) impingement and scapular dyskinesis-related pain
   2. BAnterior cruciate ligament rupture
   3. CPlantar fasciitis
   4. DMedial tibial stress syndrome
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Subacromial (shoulder) impingement and scapular dyskinesis-related pain

   Imbalance in the scapular force couples, with underactive lower trapezius and serratus anterior and overactive upper trapezius, produces scapular dyskinesis that reduces subacromial space and predisposes to impingement and shoulder pain. This scapular imbalance is not mechanistically linked to ACL rupture, plantar fasciitis or medial tibial stress syndrome.

   Reference: Kibler WB, et al. Clinical implications of scapular dyskinesis in shoulder injury. Br J Sports Med (2013)

6. Question 6 · Integumentary, Wound Care & Tissue Management

   A 10-gram Semmes-Weinstein monofilament is applied to several plantar sites on a diabetic patient's foot and the patient cannot reliably feel it. This finding indicates:

   1. ALoss of protective sensation and increased risk of foot ulceration
   2. BPeripheral arterial disease requiring urgent revascularization
   3. CNormal sensation for a person with diabetes
   4. DActive osteomyelitis of the underlying bone
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Loss of protective sensation and increased risk of foot ulceration

   Inability to sense the 10-g monofilament indicates loss of protective sensation, identifying a foot at high risk of neuropathic ulceration and mandating education, appropriate footwear, and regular screening. The monofilament tests sensation, not arterial perfusion, so it does not diagnose peripheral arterial disease or dictate revascularization. Absent protective sensation is abnormal and not expected for a well-controlled patient, and it does not by itself indicate bone infection.

   Reference: International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) Prevention Guideline, 2019/2023; ADA Standards of Care

7. Question 7 · Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

   In the early phase (first weeks) after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, which principle best guides rehabilitation?

   1. AImmediate active abduction against resistance to build strength
   2. BProtected passive/assisted range within surgeon limits while avoiding active elevation to protect the repair
   3. CAggressive end-range stretching into external rotation on day one
   4. DNo movement at all for 6 weeks to guarantee healing
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Protected passive/assisted range within surgeon limits while avoiding active elevation to protect the repair

   Early rotator cuff repair rehabilitation emphasizes protecting the healing tendon with passive and assisted range within surgeon-defined limits while avoiding active elevation and resisted contraction of the repaired muscle. Immediate resisted or aggressive active/stretching loads risk repair failure, whereas total immobilization risks stiffness.

   Reference: Kisner & Colby, Therapeutic Exercise, 7th ed. (2018); Thigpen et al., ASSET rotator cuff repair rehab consensus (2016)

8. Question 8 · Physical Therapy in Special Populations

   Which of the following is a contraindication to manual lymphatic drainage and compression therapy?

   1. AChronic stable lymphedema of the arm
   2. BMild pitting edema after node dissection
   3. CAcute cellulitis/active infection in the affected limb
   4. DFibrotic skin changes in a stable limb
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Acute cellulitis/active infection in the affected limb

   Active/acute infection such as cellulitis is a contraindication to MLD and compression until treated, because manipulation can spread infection and worsen inflammation. Chronic stable lymphedema, post-surgical edema, and fibrotic changes are indications for, not contraindications to, decongestive therapy.

   Reference: International Lymphoedema Framework Best Practice (2006); NLN position statements

9. Question 9 · Therapeutic Exercise & Exercise Prescription

   A stroke survivor with residual upper-limb weakness is undergoing task-specific training. Which principle is MOST important to maximize neuroplastic motor relearning during ADL retraining?

   1. APassive movement of the limb by the therapist with the patient relaxed
   2. BPracticing only a single repetition of each task per session
   3. CComplete rest of the affected limb to avoid fatigue
   4. DHigh-repetition, meaningful, actively practiced functional tasks with appropriate challenge
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. High-repetition, meaningful, actively practiced functional tasks with appropriate challenge

   Neuroplasticity and motor relearning are driven by active, high-repetition, salient practice of meaningful tasks at an appropriate level of challenge, which is the foundation of task-specific training after stroke. Passive movement, complete rest, or minimal repetition provide insufficient active engagement to drive cortical reorganization.

   Reference: Kleim JA, Jones TA. Principles of experience-dependent neural plasticity. J Speech Lang Hear Res, 2008

10. Question 10 · Patient Assessment, Clinical Decision Making & Differential Diagnosis

    A physiotherapist forms an initial hypothesis of subacromial pain, but on examination full passive external rotation is markedly restricted with a capsular pattern. The MOST sound clinical reasoning response is to:

    1. ARevise the hypothesis toward adhesive capsulitis based on the new capsular restriction
    2. BIgnore the finding and continue treating for subacromial pain
    3. CDischarge the patient because tests were inconsistent
    4. DImmediately refer for surgery
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A. Revise the hypothesis toward adhesive capsulitis based on the new capsular restriction

    Good clinical reasoning is iterative: findings that conflict with the working hypothesis (a marked capsular restriction of passive external rotation) should prompt revision toward a better-fitting hypothesis such as adhesive capsulitis. Ignoring disconfirming data, inappropriate discharge, or premature surgical referral all represent reasoning errors.

    Reference: Jones MA, Rivett DA. Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Practice, 2nd ed. (Elsevier, 2019)