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.
The GCS exam has 200 questions and runs 6 hours.
A 74-year-old woman who lives alone and walks her dog daily reports two near-falls in the past month on uneven sidewalks. She scores 56/56 on the Berg Balance Scale. Which action is MOST appropriate?
Correct answer: C - Administer the Functional Gait Assessment
An 81-year-old man's comfortable gait speed improves from 0.65 m/s to 0.76 m/s over eight weeks of therapy. Which statement BEST characterizes this result?
Correct answer: A - A substantial meaningful gain, still below community ambulation speed
An 88-year-old nursing home resident with advanced dementia is nonverbal and becomes agitated and resistive during every transfer. Which approach to pain assessment is MOST appropriate?
Correct answer: B - Use a validated observational behavioral pain assessment tool
An 83-year-old reports lightheadedness on standing. Supine blood pressure is 146/82 mmHg. After one minute of standing it is 124/74 mmHg. Which conclusion is MOST accurate?
Correct answer: D - The findings meet the criteria for orthostatic hypotension
During the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, a 79-year-old holds 30 seconds on a firm surface with eyes open, 30 seconds on a firm surface with eyes closed, and 30 seconds on foam with eyes open, but loses balance after 8 seconds on foam with eyes closed. This pattern MOST suggests impairment of which system?
Correct answer: C - Vestibular
An 87-year-old long-term care resident has performed three sets of 15 repetitions of seated knee extension with a 3-pound ankle weight three times weekly for 10 weeks. Her 5-times sit-to-stand time is unchanged. Which modification is MOST appropriate?
Correct answer: A - Increase the load so that 8 to 12 repetitions are challenging
A 79-year-old with two falls in the past year has attended a supervised group walking program five days per week for six months. She has fallen twice more during that period. Which program change is MOST likely to reduce her fall rate?
Correct answer: D - Add progressive, individually challenging balance training
A 76-year-old is referred three weeks after a total hip arthroplasty performed through a direct anterior approach. Which movement combination should be avoided during functional training?
Correct answer: B - Hip extension with external rotation
A 72-year-old woman with a lumbar spine DXA T-score of -3.1 reports that she performs 50 abdominal crunches daily to strengthen her core. Which recommendation is MOST appropriate?
Correct answer: A - Replace the crunches with extension and postural strengthening
An 84-year-old with moderate Alzheimer disease requires cues to sequence familiar tasks. She is losing her balance during longer walks in her assisted living facility and fatigues after about 60 meters. Which device is MOST appropriate?
Correct answer: C - A two-wheeled walker
The Geriatric Physical Therapy Specialist (GCS) (GCS) exam is organized into 6 knowledge domains. These free practice questions are drawn from across them so you can see where you're strong and where to study:
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