National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

To test the left lower trapezius muscle in a patient, what position should the patient be in?

1. Left sidelying

2. Supine

3. Right sidelying

4. Prone

The correct answer is: Prone

To optimally test the left lower trapezius muscle, the patient should be positioned prone. In this position, the patient lies face down on the treatment table, which allows for clear access and effective contraction of the left lower trapezius. In the prone position, the shoulder girdle can be stabilized, making it easier for the examiner to isolate the action of the left lower trapezius as the patient raises their arm laterally or performs a specific movement that engages this muscle. This approach ensures that the muscle's ability to perform its primary function—scapular depression and upward rotation—is accurately assessed without interference from other surrounding muscles. In contrast, the other positions such as sidelying or supine would not provide the same mechanical advantage for testing the left lower trapezius. Sidelying might alter the muscle's effectiveness due to gravity's impact on muscle activation, while the supine position tends to involve other muscle groups that could compensate for the lower trapezius, making it difficult to isolate its strength and function. Therefore, the prone position is the most appropriate for this assessment.