PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT LICENSING EXAM
ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED
ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS –
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
1. A patient recovering from a total knee arthroplasty demonstrates difficulty
achieving full knee extension. Which intervention is most appropriate to
improve terminal extension?
A. Short arc quadriceps exercises
B. Long lever quadriceps sets
C. Heel slides
D. Seated knee flexion stretches
Rationale: Long lever quadriceps sets emphasize full knee extension through active
quadriceps contraction, which is crucial for restoring terminal extension after
TKA.
2. During gait training, a patient demonstrates foot slap during initial contact.
Which muscle is most likely weak?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Tibialis anterior
, C. Soleus
D. Peroneus longus
Rationale: Weak tibialis anterior results in inability to dorsiflex the foot at initial
contact, causing a foot slap pattern.
3. A PTA is treating a patient with chronic low back pain who reports
increased pain with sitting. Which intervention should be prioritized?
A. Supine hamstring stretches
B. Core stabilization exercises
C. Standing calf stretches
D. Prone lumbar extension exercises only
Rationale: Core stabilization improves lumbar support and reduces pain
exacerbated by prolonged sitting, aligning with evidence-based practice.
4. A patient with left hemiplegia presents with shoulder subluxation. Which
positioning technique is most effective for prevention?
A. Supine with arm dangling
B. Supporting the affected arm in 90° abduction with gentle external
rotation
, C. Prone with arm adducted
D. Side-lying with arm behind the back
Rationale: Proper support in abduction and external rotation prevents inferior
subluxation and promotes proper alignment.
5. Which of the following is an appropriate functional goal for a patient post-
hip replacement at 2 weeks post-op?
A. Running 100 meters
B. Ambulate 100 feet with a walker using proper weight-bearing
precautions
C. Single-leg squats
D. Return to competitive sports
Rationale: Early functional goals focus on safe ambulation and adherence to
weight-bearing restrictions rather than high-level activity.
6. A patient with Parkinson’s disease exhibits festinating gait. Which strategy
should the PTA implement?
A. Encourage faster steps without cueing
B. Use rhythmic auditory cueing to pace steps
, C. Focus on only upper extremity exercises
D. Apply passive ROM to lower extremities only
Rationale: Rhythmic auditory cueing helps regulate step length and cadence in
Parkinson’s disease, improving safety and mobility.
7. During manual muscle testing, a PTA notes that a patient can move through
full ROM against gravity but not against any resistance. Which grade should
be documented?
A. 2/5
B. 3/5
C. 3/5
D. 4/5
Rationale: The correct grade is 3/5 because the patient can move through full
ROM against gravity but cannot tolerate added resistance.
8. A PTA is instructing a patient in diaphragmatic breathing. Which cue is
most appropriate?
A. "Lift your shoulders as you inhale"
B. "Focus on expanding your abdomen as you breathe in"
ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED
ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS –
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
1. A patient recovering from a total knee arthroplasty demonstrates difficulty
achieving full knee extension. Which intervention is most appropriate to
improve terminal extension?
A. Short arc quadriceps exercises
B. Long lever quadriceps sets
C. Heel slides
D. Seated knee flexion stretches
Rationale: Long lever quadriceps sets emphasize full knee extension through active
quadriceps contraction, which is crucial for restoring terminal extension after
TKA.
2. During gait training, a patient demonstrates foot slap during initial contact.
Which muscle is most likely weak?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Tibialis anterior
, C. Soleus
D. Peroneus longus
Rationale: Weak tibialis anterior results in inability to dorsiflex the foot at initial
contact, causing a foot slap pattern.
3. A PTA is treating a patient with chronic low back pain who reports
increased pain with sitting. Which intervention should be prioritized?
A. Supine hamstring stretches
B. Core stabilization exercises
C. Standing calf stretches
D. Prone lumbar extension exercises only
Rationale: Core stabilization improves lumbar support and reduces pain
exacerbated by prolonged sitting, aligning with evidence-based practice.
4. A patient with left hemiplegia presents with shoulder subluxation. Which
positioning technique is most effective for prevention?
A. Supine with arm dangling
B. Supporting the affected arm in 90° abduction with gentle external
rotation
, C. Prone with arm adducted
D. Side-lying with arm behind the back
Rationale: Proper support in abduction and external rotation prevents inferior
subluxation and promotes proper alignment.
5. Which of the following is an appropriate functional goal for a patient post-
hip replacement at 2 weeks post-op?
A. Running 100 meters
B. Ambulate 100 feet with a walker using proper weight-bearing
precautions
C. Single-leg squats
D. Return to competitive sports
Rationale: Early functional goals focus on safe ambulation and adherence to
weight-bearing restrictions rather than high-level activity.
6. A patient with Parkinson’s disease exhibits festinating gait. Which strategy
should the PTA implement?
A. Encourage faster steps without cueing
B. Use rhythmic auditory cueing to pace steps
, C. Focus on only upper extremity exercises
D. Apply passive ROM to lower extremities only
Rationale: Rhythmic auditory cueing helps regulate step length and cadence in
Parkinson’s disease, improving safety and mobility.
7. During manual muscle testing, a PTA notes that a patient can move through
full ROM against gravity but not against any resistance. Which grade should
be documented?
A. 2/5
B. 3/5
C. 3/5
D. 4/5
Rationale: The correct grade is 3/5 because the patient can move through full
ROM against gravity but cannot tolerate added resistance.
8. A PTA is instructing a patient in diaphragmatic breathing. Which cue is
most appropriate?
A. "Lift your shoulders as you inhale"
B. "Focus on expanding your abdomen as you breathe in"
