If you searched for "CPTE geriatric practice questions," "PCE older-adult sample questions," or "CAPR geriatrics questions," here are real ones to attempt. (The PCE and CPTE are the same national exam — CAPR's Physiotherapy Competency Examination — so these apply whichever term you searched.)
Geriatric scenarios on the CPTE test judgment across falls, cognition, and the pharmacology of ageing — often asking what to prioritise, not just what to know. Below are six geriatric questions pulled directly from the CAPR-aligned PhysioExamPrep bank, each with the correct answer and a full rationale.
How to use these: cover the answer, commit to a choice, and explain why the other options are wrong before you reveal it. Read the rationale even when you're right.
Question 1 — Dementia and apraxia
A patient in the middle/moderate stage of Alzheimer's is demonstrating ideomotor apraxia. What does apraxia look like during a sit-to-stand transfer, and how should the PT modify their cues?
- A. The patient "forgets" how to perform the movement sequence even though they have the strength; use tactile guiding and environmental cues rather than complex verbal explanations.
- B. The patient cannot see the chair; use bright tape.
- C. The patient is too fast; use a gait belt to slow them down.
- D. The patient's legs are paralyzed; use a lift.
Answer: A — The patient forgets the movement sequence despite having the strength; use tactile guiding and environmental cues.
Apraxia is a motor-planning deficit common in the moderate stage. The brain cannot translate the command into the motor program. Hands-on guiding (facilitation) is more effective than "Step 1, Step 2" verbal instructions.
Question 2 — Energy conservation
An older adult with chronic emphysema is cooking a meal. Which kitchen modification is an energy-saving strategy to reduce dyspnea?
- A. Organizing the kitchen so that frequently used items are between waist and shoulder height to minimize reaching and bending.
- B. Removing all chairs from the kitchen.
- C. Keeping all heavy pots on the lowest shelf near the floor.
- D. Cooking only once a week.
Answer: A — Keep frequently used items between waist and shoulder height.
Bending and reaching increase the work of breathing and heart rate. Keeping items in the "power zone" is an ergonomic and energy-conserving standard.
Question 3 — Falls: intrinsic vs extrinsic risk
An 84-year-old woman with three falls in the past 6 months has Type 2 Diabetes, takes 7 medications (including a benzodiazepine), and wears bifocals. On a home visit you note dim hallway lighting and loose throw rugs. Which represents the strongest intrinsic predictor of a future injurious fall, and what is the priority action?
- A. The loose throw rugs; refer for a home safety modification immediately.
- B. Dim hallway lighting; install motion-sensor LED lights.
- C. The bifocal glasses; advise switching to single-vision lenses for walking indoors.
- D. History of previous falls; perform a comprehensive gait and balance assessment (e.g., Berg or TUG) to identify specific motor impairments.
Answer: D — History of previous falls; perform a comprehensive gait and balance assessment.
In the hierarchy of fall risk, a history of previous falls is the single strongest intrinsic predictor of future falls. While extrinsic factors (rugs, lighting) and other intrinsic factors (vision, medications) matter, current fall-prevention guidance says that once a patient has fallen with injury or had multiple falls, a multifactorial assessment starting with objective motor performance is essential.
Question 4 — Communication in dementia
You are giving instructions for a complex step-up exercise to a patient with vascular dementia. Which communication strategy is most effective to maximize success?
- A. Ask the patient to explain the mechanics of the exercise before starting.
- B. Provide a written 5-step handout.
- C. Use short, simple sentences and one-step commands (e.g., "Foot up," "Stand tall") combined with a visual demonstration.
- D. Speak louder to ensure the patient hears every word.
Answer: C — Short, simple sentences and one-step commands plus a visual demonstration.
Cognitive load must be minimized. Chunking instructions into single, actionable steps reduces the demand on executive function and working memory.
Question 5 — Falls prevention evidence
An 80-year-old woman living alone has had two falls in three months and near-falls when rising from a chair. Which intervention has the strongest evidence for reducing falls in community-dwelling older adults?
- A. A progressive, individually-tailored balance and strength exercise programme (e.g., Otago).
- B. Vitamin C supplementation.
- C. Bed rest to avoid falling.
- D. Providing a wheelchair.
Answer: A — A progressive, individually-tailored balance and strength programme (e.g., Otago).
Progressive, challenging, individually-tailored balance and strength programmes (such as the Otago Exercise Programme) have the strongest evidence for reducing falls in community-dwelling older adults. Bed rest and a wheelchair cause deconditioning and do not reduce falls.
Question 6 — Pharmacokinetics of ageing
An 85-year-old patient given a single dose of a lipophilic (fat-soluble) medication such as diazepam remains extremely drowsy for 48 hours. Based on age-related changes in body composition, why does the half-life of fat-soluble drugs increase significantly in older adults?
- A. The liver works faster.
- B. Fat-soluble drugs are absorbed faster in the stomach.
- C. Older adults have a higher percentage of body fat and lower total body water, which increases the volume of distribution for lipophilic drugs, causing them to linger in the tissues longer.
- D. The drug is excreted by the sweat glands, which are less active.
Answer: C — More body fat and less body water increases the volume of distribution for lipophilic drugs.
This is a cornerstone of geriatric pharmacology. Increased fat means more storage space for fat-soluble drugs, leading to a prolonged effect and a higher risk of toxicity/adverse drug reactions even at standard doses.
Keep practising
The full PhysioExamPrep bank is CAPR-aligned for the 2026 CPTE and covers geriatrics in depth — falls, frailty, dementia, polypharmacy, and functional assessment — with the same answer-and-rationale format. Start practising for free (a daily allowance, no card required) and track accuracy by topic. Premium — a one-time CA$49, valid for two years — unlocks unlimited practice, Written-section mock exams, and Oral-section case practice.