10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
Walking upright brings on familiar thigh aching in a client with diagnosed lumbar spinal stenosis. The symptoms settle with sitting, and leaning forward over a shopping cart allows longer walking. This pattern is unchanged, with no new weakness or bowel or bladder symptoms. The treating clinician permits symptom-limited aerobic exercise. Which starting activity best preserves conditioning without repeatedly provoking the known symptoms?
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Correct answer: B - Stationary cycling in a comfortable, slightly forward-leaning position
Question 2
A client can rise from a chair but drops into the seat during the final part of sitting down. The MES selects a higher chair and practices a slow, controlled descent within the client's permitted range. At the knee, the quadriceps control this descent primarily through:
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Correct answer: D - Eccentric contraction to control knee flexion
Question 3
Midway through a session, an insulin-treated adult becomes shaky and sweaty. Exercise is stopped, and a fingerstick glucose measurement is 62 mg/dL. The client is alert, can swallow safely, and has glucose tablets available. What is the appropriate initial response?
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Correct answer: A - Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck glucose after 15 minutes
Question 4
The surgical handoff for a client with an irreparable rotator cuff tear identifies a reverse total shoulder replacement. The surgeon has now authorized active strengthening. Compared with an anatomic shoulder replacement, restoration of arm elevation after this procedure depends especially on which muscle?
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Correct answer: C - Deltoid
Question 5
On the Patient-Specific Functional Scale, a client's mean score for the same three activities rises from 3.0 to 6.0; higher scores indicate better function. The clinician uses a 2-point minimum detectable change for the mean score. No threshold for a clinically important difference has been specified. Which conclusion can the MES support?
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Correct answer: D - Function improved beyond the stated measurement-error threshold; clinical importance needs further context
Question 6
A client continuing exercise after treatment for golfer's elbow reports familiar medial elbow discomfort during resisted wrist flexion and forearm pronation. Wrist extension is comfortable, and there is no numbness or new weakness. The MES should first reduce the load on the:
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Correct answer: B - Flexor-pronator tendons at the medial epicondyle
Question 7
Before a client resumes running after ACL reconstruction, the treating team requires both a knee-extension limb symmetry index of at least 90% and operated-limb torque of at least 130 N·m. Testing under identical conditions produces 114 N·m on the operated side and 120 N·m on the other side. All other stated running criteria are met. How should these results guide the MES?
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Correct answer: C - 95% symmetry; continue strengthening because the absolute torque requirement is unmet
Question 8
A physician's exercise instructions permit a client's prescribed moderate-intensity session when resting systolic pressure is below 160 mm Hg, diastolic pressure is below 100 mm Hg, and concerning symptoms are absent. Properly measured resting BP is 154/94 mm Hg, with a similar repeat reading. The client feels well and reports no interval changes. Using American Heart Association adult categories, how should the MES classify the reading and handle this session?
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Correct answer: A - Stage 2 hypertension; proceed with the prescribed session and monitoring
Question 9
After right total hip replacement, a client is cleared for full weight bearing, cane-assisted walking, and progressive hip strengthening. During a guarded right single-leg stance, the left side of the pelvis drops. The therapist has prescribed a cane to unload the operated hip. Which pairing correctly identifies the cane hand and the muscle group relevant to the pelvic drop?
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Correct answer: A - Left hand; right hip abductors
Question 10
A client arriving for lumbar exercise says the back pain has fallen from 6/10 to 2/10 since yesterday. However, the client also reports new numbness around the perineum and an inability to pass urine despite feeling a full bladder. The client can still walk into the facility. What should happen before any exercise or further fitness testing?
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Correct answer: D - Arrange emergency medical evaluation now for possible cauda equina involvement
That's 10 of 1,030
The full bank has 1,020 more MES questions with explanations.