National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

A patient with recent onset of steroid-induced myopathy will have the most difficulty performing which of the following activities?

1. Writing with a pen

2. Dressing

3. Climbing stairs

4. Rising from a supine position

The correct answer is: Climbing stairs

Steroid-induced myopathy is characterized by muscle weakness, particularly affecting the proximal muscles. This type of myopathy often leads to difficulties in activities that require significant strength from the proximal muscles of the upper and lower limbs. Climbing stairs requires significant strength from the hip and knee extensors, which are typically proximal muscles. These muscles can be severely compromised in a patient with steroid-induced myopathy, making tasks like climbing stairs particularly challenging. The action involves lifting the body weight against gravity, which places a high demand on muscle power and endurance. In contrast, the other activities mentioned, such as writing with a pen, dressing, and rising from a supine position, generally require less exertion and may engage distal muscles or involve movements that can be compensated for more easily. For instance, dressing might require more dexterity but can often be done with the assistance of better balance or modified techniques. Rising from a supine position also engages important muscle groups but may not demand the same degree of strength as climbing stairs does. Thus, the most significant impact of steroid-induced myopathy on functional mobility is likely to be seen in activities that demand high levels of proximal muscle strength, such as climbing stairs, which explains why this activity poses the greatest difficulty for