Samantha is an office worker who presents with pain and numbness in the right hand, particularly at night. On examination, there is decreased sensation along the palmar aspect of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Which the of the following is the LEAST likely impaired:

A) Abductor pollicus brevis

B) Flexor pollicus longus

C) Opponens pollicus

D) 2nd Lumbrical

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Denise is six days post-abdominal surgery with a midline incision. The incision is well-approximated with slight redness but no drainage or dehiscence. She is concerned about safely participating in physical therapy. Which recommendation is MOST appropriate for this patient?

A) Avoid core exercises until 6 weeks post-op

B) Continue light activities and monitor for redness, swelling, or drainage

C) Apply heat to the incision before exercise to promote healing

D) Use high-compression abdominal binders during therapy

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Kelly is referred to physical therapy six days after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. She reports mild fatigue but denies chest pain or shortness of breath. Her resting heart rate is 85 bpm, and her blood pressure is 125/80 mmHg. The therapist plans to begin light aerobic exercise as part of her cardiac rehabilitation. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate guideline to follow during this session?

A) Monitor for a target heart rate of 70–80% of her age-predicted maximum

B) Avoid upper extremity exercises to minimize sternal stress

C) Limit aerobic exercise to a maximum of 1–2 METs during this phase

D) Emphasize light aerobic exercise with an intensity below 13 on the Borg RPE scale

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Ollie reports progressive weakness in his legs and tingling sensations in his hands and feet after a recent upper respiratory infection. On examination, he has moderate dorsiflexor weakness, and mild gait instability. Which of the following is the MOST anticipated finding?

A) Hyperreflexia with distal weakness

B) Loss of tactile sensation

C) Severe gross hip muscle weakness

D) Limb contractures

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Rella presents with a diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis in the freezing phase. She reports persistent, deep shoulder pain at rest and significant discomfort with attempted movement. Passive range of motion reveals capsular end-feel in all directions, particularly with external rotation. Which intervention is MOST appropriate to address the patient’s symptoms at this stage?

A) Low-load prolonged passive stretching with gradual increases in intensity

B) Submaximal isometric exercises to reduce pain and maintain muscle activation

C) Low-grade joint mobilizations to minimize discomfort and maintain joint mechanics

D) Dynamic strengthening exercises to improve shoulder function

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Bailey presents with a history of osteoarthritis and hypertension and is referred to physical therapy for knee pain management. She reports taking over-the-counter medication daily for pain relief. During the session, she mentions experiencing mild stomach discomfort and occasional dizziness. Her blood pressure is 138/86 mmHg. Which medication is MOST likely contributing to the patient’s symptoms?

A) Acetaminophen

B) Ibuprofen

C) Calcium-channel blocker

D) Glucosamine supplement

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Pouria presents with secondary lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. The patient reports heaviness in the arm and mild discomfort but denies significant pain. The affected arm shows a circumference 3 cm greater than the contralateral arm. She has no open wounds or signs of infection. Which compression and therapy strategy is MOST appropriate to manage this patient’s lymphedema?

A) High-stretch bandages to provide consistent pressure during rest and activity

B) Intermittent pneumatic compression at 60 mmHg pressure, followed by elastic sleeve application

C) Short-stretch bandages with manual lymphatic drainage techniques

D) Compression garments with 40-50 mmHg pressure for daily use

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Jafar has a history of atrial fibrillation and reports occasional fatigue and palpitations. His resting heart rate is 96 bpm and irregular, and he takes a beta-blocker. During a six-minute walk test, he experiences mild shortness of breath but completes the test without difficulty. Which consideration is MOST important when developing this patient’s exercise program?

A) Monitor for a target heart rate based on age-predicted max heart rate

B) Use a perceived exertion scale to guide exercise intensity

C) Avoid aerobic exercise due to the risk of arrhythmias

D) Encourage high-intensity intervals to improve cardiovascular function

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Taylor presents with a TBI and is recently learning to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed independently. The therapist aims to facilitate the learning process while minimizing cognitive load. Which training strategy is MOST effective for this stage of motor learning?

A) Massed practice; intrinsic feedback

B) Distributed practice; concurrent feedback

C) Blocked practice; knowledge of results feedback

D) Random practice; knowledge of performance feedback

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Kyle reports sudden posterior ankle pain after jumping, describing it as feeling “kicked.” Examination reveals mild swelling, a palpable gap above the calcaneus, limited active plantarflexion, and inability to perform a single-leg heel raise. Passive range of motion is full and pain-free. Which finding BEST explains the patient’s inability to perform a single-leg heel raise?

A) Tear of the medial ankle stabilizer leading to decreased propulsion strength

B) Inflammation of the plantar aponeurosis causing mechanical restriction

C) Disruption of the calcaneal attachment of the posterior compartment tendon

D) Strain of the posterior compartment musculature limiting force generation

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