NPTE Plan

Equipment, Devices and Therapeutic Modalities: practice questions

2 original questions · 2 editor-approved · every choice explained.

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Blueprint-mapped questions with full rationales for every choice.

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Equipment, Devices and Therapeutic ModalitiesDifficulty 2/5

How should a standard cane be measured and used for a patient with left knee osteoarthritis?

  1. AHandle at the waist, held in either hand according to preference
  2. BHandle at the axilla, held in the right hand to unload the left knee
  3. CHandle at the iliac crest, held in the left hand with the affected limb
  4. DHandle at the greater trochanter, held in the right hand opposite the limb
Show answer and rationale

Correct: D. Cane height is set at the greater trochanter with 20-30 degrees of elbow flexion, and the cane is held in the hand opposite the affected limb so it widens the base and reduces load on that side.

  • C — Holding the cane on the affected side increases rather than reduces load.
  • A — Height and side are not preference items; both affect loading.
  • B — Axillary height belongs to crutches, not a cane.
Equipment, Devices and Therapeutic ModalitiesDifficulty 3/5

Which ultrasound frequency penetrates deeper tissue, and what depth does it target?

  1. A1 MHz, targeting tissue at approximately 3 to 5 cm depth
  2. B3 MHz, targeting superficial tissue at 1 to 2 cm depth
  3. C1 MHz, targeting superficial tissue at 1 to 2 cm depth
  4. D3 MHz, targeting tissue at approximately 3 to 5 cm depth
Show answer and rationale

Correct: A. Lower frequency penetrates deeper: 1 MHz reaches roughly 3 to 5 cm, while 3 MHz is absorbed more superficially at about 1 to 2 cm.

  • D — 3 MHz is absorbed superficially and does not reach 3 to 5 cm.
  • B — The depth is right for 3 MHz but the question asks which penetrates deeper.
  • C — 1 MHz is the deeper option, not the superficial one.

Primary references

  1. NPTE-PT Test Content Outline, effective January 2024 (v1.1) — Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) · primary · retrieved 2026-09-22, verified 2026-09-22