Physiotherapist Prometric exam questions

The Physiotherapist exam in every GCC country

From each regulator's own exam pages; anything a regulator does not publish says so. Assessment mode also depends on your licence title, so confirm your route on your eligibility notice.

12 worked Physiotherapist practice questions

Original exam-style questions from the bank, spread across the blueprint domains. They are not real or recalled exam questions. Try each one, then open the answer for the rationale and reference. None of them appear in the free mock exam, so reading them will not spoil it.

1. Question 1 · Anatomy, Physiology & Basic Sciences

   The 'size principle' of motor unit recruitment states that during a gradually increasing voluntary contraction:

   1. ALarge, high-threshold motor units are recruited before small ones
   2. BSmall, low-threshold motor units are recruited first, followed by progressively larger units
   3. CAll motor units are recruited simultaneously regardless of size
   4. DRecruitment depends only on firing frequency, not motor unit size
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Small, low-threshold motor units are recruited first, followed by progressively larger units

   The Henneman size principle states that smaller motor neurons (innervating fewer, typically slow-twitch fibers) have lower activation thresholds and are recruited first; larger, higher-threshold motor units are added as force demand rises. This orderly recruitment allows fine control at low forces. Firing frequency (rate coding) modulates force after recruitment but does not replace the size-ordered pattern.

   Reference: Enoka RM. Neuromechanics of Human Movement, 5th ed., 2015

2. Question 2 · Neurological Physiotherapy & Neurorehabilitation

   A limitation of the Modified Ashworth Scale that the Tardieu Scale specifically attempts to address is that the Modified Ashworth Scale:

   1. ACannot be used in the upper limb
   2. BDoes not control or account for the velocity of the passive stretch, so it does not clearly distinguish neural spasticity from non-neural (contracture) resistance
   3. CRequires expensive instrumented equipment
   4. DMeasures only active, not passive, movement
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Does not control or account for the velocity of the passive stretch, so it does not clearly distinguish neural spasticity from non-neural (contracture) resistance

   The Modified Ashworth Scale grades resistance to a single passive stretch without standardizing velocity, so it cannot reliably separate the velocity-dependent neural component (true spasticity) from fixed soft-tissue/contracture resistance. The Tardieu Scale addresses this by testing at different, defined velocities and comparing the resulting angles. The scale is used throughout the body, needs no instrumentation, and assesses passive resistance.

   Reference: Patrick & Ada, comparison of Tardieu and Ashworth scales, Clinical Rehabilitation (2006)

3. Question 3 · Electrotherapy, Physical Agents & Hydrotherapy

   To achieve actual vertebral separation (distraction) rather than just soft-tissue stretch during lumbar mechanical traction, the literature suggests a traction force of approximately:

   1. A5-10% of body weight
   2. BTraction force is irrelevant to the effect
   3. CExactly 10 kg regardless of patient size
   4. DAt least about 50% of body weight (roughly one-quarter to one-half body weight can stretch tissues, but ~50% or more is generally needed for lumbar vertebral separation)
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. At least about 50% of body weight (roughly one-quarter to one-half body weight can stretch tissues, but ~50% or more is generally needed for lumbar vertebral separation)

   For the lumbar spine, forces around 25% of body weight may stretch soft tissue, but roughly 50% of body weight (or more) is generally needed to overcome friction and produce actual vertebral separation. A fixed low force such as 10 kg or 5-10% body weight is insufficient for distraction, and force clearly matters.

   Reference: Cameron, Physical Agents in Rehabilitation, 5th ed. (2018)

4. Question 4 · Kinesiology, Biomechanics & Ergonomics

   A therapist applies a low-load, prolonged stretch to a chronic knee flexion contracture, holding a constant force over several minutes and observing gradual lengthening of the tissue. This time-dependent deformation under constant load is a viscoelastic property called:

   1. ACreep
   2. BStress relaxation
   3. CHysteresis
   4. DThixotropy
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Creep

   Creep is the progressive, time-dependent increase in deformation (strain) of a viscoelastic tissue when a constant load (stress) is maintained, which is the mechanical basis for low-load prolonged stretching. Stress relaxation, by contrast, is the decline in force over time when the tissue is held at a constant length.

   Reference: Nordin M & Frankel VH, Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System, 4th ed., 2012

5. Question 5 · Cardiopulmonary / Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy

   A physiotherapist plans airway clearance for a patient with a recent large haemoptysis and known unstable rib fractures. The most appropriate approach is to:

   1. APerform vigorous percussion and head-down postural drainage
   2. BAvoid percussion and tipping, and use gentle techniques such as breathing control and assisted huffing
   3. CWithhold all airway clearance indefinitely
   4. DApply high-frequency chest wall percussion at maximum intensity
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Avoid percussion and tipping, and use gentle techniques such as breathing control and assisted huffing

   Manual percussion and head-down positioning are contraindicated or precautionary with active/recent frank haemoptysis and unstable rib fractures because of the risk of bleeding and mechanical injury, so gentler techniques such as breathing control, thoracic expansion, and assisted huffing are preferred. Vigorous percussion and steep tipping increase risk. Completely withholding clearance is unnecessary and could worsen secretion retention when safer techniques are available.

   Reference: Pryor & Prasad, Physiotherapy for Respiratory and Cardiac Problems, 4th ed. (2008)

6. Question 6 · Professional Practice, Ethics, Safety & Evidence-Based Practice

   A physiotherapist notes that a well-developed clinical practice guideline gives a 'strong recommendation' for a particular exercise approach, but the individual patient has a comorbidity making that approach unsafe. What is the correct application of evidence-based practice?

   1. AFollow the guideline exactly regardless of the patient's circumstances
   2. BIntegrate the guideline with clinical expertise and the individual patient's values and circumstances, adapting care safely
   3. CIgnore the guideline entirely because guidelines are only theoretical
   4. DDelay all treatment until the guideline is revised
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Integrate the guideline with clinical expertise and the individual patient's values and circumstances, adapting care safely

   Evidence-based practice integrates best available evidence (including guidelines) with clinical expertise and patient values and circumstances; a guideline informs but does not override safe, individualized decision-making. Blindly following it despite a contraindication, discarding it, or postponing care all misapply the model.

   Reference: Sackett et al., Evidence-Based Medicine (1996); Straus et al., 5th ed. (2019)

7. Question 7 · Anatomy, Physiology & Basic Sciences

   An injury to the posterior cord of the brachial plexus would most directly impair which combination of functions?

   1. AElbow flexion and forearm supination
   2. BShoulder abduction and elbow/wrist extension
   3. CFinger abduction and thumb opposition
   4. DWrist flexion and finger flexion
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Shoulder abduction and elbow/wrist extension

   The posterior cord gives rise to the axillary nerve (deltoid, shoulder abduction) and the radial nerve (triceps and wrist/finger extensors). Elbow flexion and supination are largely musculocutaneous (lateral cord) functions. Intrinsic hand functions such as finger abduction and thumb opposition are median/ulnar (medial and lateral cord) functions, and wrist/finger flexion is mainly median and ulnar.

   Reference: Standring S. Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed., 2020

8. Question 8 · Neurological Physiotherapy & Neurorehabilitation

   A patient reports positional vertigo, but the Dix-Hallpike is negative. On a supine roll test, turning the head to either side provokes horizontal nystagmus; the geotropic nystagmus is more intense when the head is turned to the right. This is most consistent with:

   1. ARight posterior canal BPPV
   2. BLeft horizontal (lateral) canal BPPV, geotropic type
   3. CRight horizontal (lateral) canal BPPV, geotropic type
   4. DCentral positional vertigo
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Right horizontal (lateral) canal BPPV, geotropic type

   A negative Dix-Hallpike with horizontal nystagmus on the supine roll test indicates horizontal (lateral) canal BPPV. In the geotropic (canalithiasis) variant, the nystagmus is stronger toward the affected side, so a more intense response with the head turned right localizes to the right horizontal canal, typically treated with a Lempert/BBQ roll or Gufoni manoeuvre. Central vertigo would not show this direction-changing geotropic pattern with a clear stronger side.

   Reference: Bhattacharyya et al., Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (Update), AAO-HNS (2017)

9. Question 9 · Electrotherapy, Physical Agents & Hydrotherapy

   Radial and focused ESWT differ in energy delivery. Which statement is correct?

   1. ARadial shockwaves reach their maximum energy deep in the tissue at a focal point
   2. BRadial and focused ESWT are physically identical
   3. CFocused shockwaves concentrate peak energy at a selectable depth, whereas radial (pressure) waves have maximal energy at the applicator surface and dissipate with depth
   4. DFocused ESWT cannot be targeted and spreads energy diffusely
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Focused shockwaves concentrate peak energy at a selectable depth, whereas radial (pressure) waves have maximal energy at the applicator surface and dissipate with depth

   Focused ESWT converges peak pressure energy at a defined depth beneath the skin, allowing deep targets to be treated, while radial (radial pressure wave) devices deliver maximal energy at the surface and attenuate with depth, suiting more superficial conditions. The two are not identical, and focused waves are the ones that can be targeted to depth.

   Reference: Schmitz et al., British Medical Bulletin (2015)

10. Question 10 · Kinesiology, Biomechanics & Ergonomics

    During screening of an adolescent for idiopathic scoliosis, the Adam's forward bend test reveals a right thoracic rib hump. What is the primary reason the rib hump becomes visible on forward bending?

    1. ALateral curvature alone without any rotation
    2. BThe vertebral rotation component of scoliosis pushing the ribs posteriorly on the convex side
    3. CAn increase in thoracic kyphosis on flexion
    4. DUnilateral shortening of the erector spinae only
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B. The vertebral rotation component of scoliosis pushing the ribs posteriorly on the convex side

    Structural scoliosis combines lateral curvature with vertebral (axial) rotation; the vertebral bodies rotate toward the convexity, driving the attached ribs posteriorly on that side. Forward flexion accentuates this rotation, producing the visible rib hump, which is why the Adam's test is used to detect true structural curves.

    Reference: SOSORT (Scoliosis) Guidelines, 2016

11. Question 11 · Cardiopulmonary / Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy

    A patient in outpatient (Phase II) cardiac rehabilitation is prescribed aerobic exercise. In the absence of a symptom-limited exercise test, a commonly recommended safe approach to intensity is to:

    1. AExercise to the point of chest pain each session
    2. BUse a moderate perceived exertion (e.g., Borg RPE 11-13) and keep heart rate a set margin below any ischaemic threshold
    3. CAlways train at maximal heart rate
    4. DAvoid monitoring symptoms during exercise
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B. Use a moderate perceived exertion (e.g., Borg RPE 11-13) and keep heart rate a set margin below any ischaemic threshold

    Where a formal symptom-limited test is unavailable, moderate intensity guided by perceived exertion (Borg RPE around 11-13, "fairly light" to "somewhat hard") with heart rate maintained below any known ischaemic/anginal threshold is a widely recommended safe method. Exercising to the onset of chest pain or at maximal heart rate is unsafe in cardiac patients. Symptom monitoring is essential throughout, not avoided.

    Reference: AACVPR Guidelines for Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs, 5th ed. (2013)

12. Question 12 · Sports Physiotherapy

    An athlete passes the single hop and crossover hop tests but has poor frontal-plane knee control on a single-leg landing. What is the most appropriate interpretation?

    1. AThe athlete is fully ready to return regardless of movement quality
    2. BHop distance is the only measure that matters
    3. CFrontal-plane control is irrelevant in cutting sports
    4. DMovement quality deficits (dynamic valgus) indicate ongoing reinjury risk despite passing distance hop tests
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D. Movement quality deficits (dynamic valgus) indicate ongoing reinjury risk despite passing distance hop tests

    Distance-based hop tests may be passed while poor movement quality such as dynamic knee valgus persists, and this deficit is associated with elevated reinjury risk, so qualitative movement assessment is essential. Ignoring movement quality or treating hop distance as the sole criterion underestimates risk, particularly in cutting and pivoting sports.

    Reference: Kotsifaki A, et al. Measuring only hop distance during single leg hop testing is insufficient. Br J Sports Med (2020)

Physiotherapist reference books and guidelines

Every question in this bank names the textbook or guideline its answer rests on. These are the sources our Physiotherapist questions cite most often - the reading list to revise from alongside the bank.

Where your regulator publishes a reading list, use the editions it names. Exam questions are not taken from any one book.