National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Special Practice Exam 2025 - Free NPTE Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the Sweep/Brush Test, the appropriate method to assess for joint capsule swelling involves applying pressure to both the medial and lateral aspects of the knee. This approach helps to mobilize any fluid that may be trapped within the joint capsule. By applying pressure on these areas, any excess fluid can be displaced towards the region where it can be visually assessed, thus revealing the presence of joint effusion.

When pressure is applied medially, fluid is pushed towards the lateral side of the knee, and when pressure is applied laterally, it encourages any fluid present on the lateral side to move toward the medial side. By applying pressure to both sides, the clinician can effectively identify whether there is swelling indicative of joint effusion. This technique is a practical and efficient means of evaluating the integrity of the knee joint and the presence of any pathologic conditions related to synovial fluid accumulation.

Utilizing only medial or lateral pressure would not provide a comprehensive assessment of the joint capsule, making the combined approach the most effective in this context.