improved direct path patching test

[jlarson4]

Description

Another pass at the direct path patching test to strength changes made in #1783

Type of change

• Bug fix (non-breaking change which fixes an issue)

Checklist:

• I have commented my code, particularly in hard-to-understand areas
• I have made corresponding changes to the documentation
• My changes generate no new warnings
• I have added tests that prove my fix is effective or that my feature works
• New and existing unit tests pass locally with my changes
• I have not rewritten tests relating to key interfaces which would affect backward compatibility