PEAT PRACTICE CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● A pt with an incomplete C8 spinal cord injury reports of burning in the buttocks when sitting
in a wc. Which of the following problems with the pt's wc would be most likely to contribute to
the burning? 1. Footplates are too high 2. Footplates are too low 3. Seat is too narrow 4. Seat
is too deep. Answer: 1. Footplates are too high [Shift pt's weight posteriorly onto buttocks] 2:
shift pt weight forward, may cause problems on thigh 3: pressure on lateral pelvis and thighs
4: lead to posterior tilt and kyphotic posture
● A patient with diabetes had a right transtibial amputation 5 days ago. An advantage of a
rigid removable dressing versus bandaging is that the rigid dressing: 1.allows for early weight
bearing. 2.requires less monitoring. 3.allows applied pressure to be varied. 4.is less costly..
Answer: 1.allows for early weight bearing. 2: requires more supervision bc no access
available to incisions and the dressing is fabricated by the surgeon or prosthetist. As the
residual limb heals, sutures are removed, and the limb changes shape, a new cast must be
made. 3. Pressure cannot be varied when using a rigid dressing, unlike bandaging with an
elastic wrap or shrinker. 4. A rigid dressing requires careful application by a skilled individual
and, therefore, may be more costly. An elastic shrinker is a less expensive option.
● A patient with spinal stenosis is referred to physical therapy. The patient reports pain in the
right knee, ankle, and foot. While walking, the patient exhibits a mild foot-drop with no
evidence of hypertonicity. When weight bearing, the foot and ankle are pronated. Which of the
following orthoses is MOST appropriate? 1.Molded ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) 2.AFO with a
split stirrup 3.Custom insole with lateral arch supports 4.Metal AFO with the ankle set in 5° of
dorsiflexion. Answer: 1.Molded ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) 2: bulky and does not address
pronation 4: heavy and does not address pronation
● A home health patient who recently had a three-vessel coronary artery bypass graft
describes experiencing bilateral lower extremity swelling, leg pain, and shortness of breath,
especially when lying down. The patient MOST likely has which of the following diagnoses?
1.Deep vein thrombosis 2.Myocardial infarction 3.Pulmonary embolism 4.Heart failure.
Answer: 4.Heart failure 1: usually u/l 2: does not result in acute swelling 3: usually not
changed by position, and typically cardiac arrest 4: SS of HF: dyspnea, paroxysmal noctural
dyspnea, orthopnea, peripheral edema
, ● A patient reports a 2-day history of a hot, swollen, first metatarsophalangeal joint. This
complaint is MOST common in: 1.osteoarthritis. 2.polymyositis. 3.gout. 4.rheumatoid arthritis..
Answer: 3.gout. 4: symmetrical joint inflammation
● Which of the following options BEST describes the mode of action of
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors? 1.Reduction of heart rate and increase in
cardiac contractility 2.Reduction of heart rate and decrease in cardiac contractility 3.Reduction
of peripheral vascular resistance and increase in venous capacitance 4.Reduction of
peripheral vascular resistance and decrease in venous capacitance. Answer: 3.Reduction of
peripheral vascular resistance and increase in venous capacitance [vasodilation, reduce
peripheral vascular resistance, and increase venous capacitance]
● A patient reports low back pain that radiates down one leg below the knee. The patient also
reports numbness and tingling in the first web site. Which of the following examination findings
is MOST likely? 1.Diminished knee reflex 2.Diminished ankle reflex 3.Weakness of the
gastrocnemius 4.Weakness of the extensor hallucis longus. Answer: 4.Weakness of the
extensor hallucis longus
● A patient is unable to reach behind the low back during activities of daily living. Muscle
performance testing is pain-free, normal, and symmetrical. What is the MOST likely problem
contributing to this functional impairment? 1.Subscapularis disorder 2.Pectoralis minor
stiffness 3.Posterior capsular stiffness 4.Acromioclavicular joint arthrosis. Answer: 3.Posterior
capsular stiffness [limit shoulder IR] 2: limited in activities requiring upward rotation and
posterior tilting of scapular
● A physical therapist is designing a rehabilitation program for a patient who has a recent
diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. The therapist should anticipate that as the disease
progresses, the patient is MOST likely to require: 1.special precautions for osteoporosis. 2.a
wheelchair for community mobility. 3.spinal surgery. 4.bilateral ankle-foot orthoses.. Answer:
1.special precautions for osteoporosis. 1. Osteoporosis is a skeletal complication associated
with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis. 2. Requiring a wheelchair is incorrect because the
patient should still be able to walk, even with advanced stages of ankylosing spondylitis. 3.
Spinal surgery has a very limited role in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. 4. Peripheral
nerve dysfunction is not characteristic of ankylosing spondylitis. Orthoses to manage foot drop
would not be expected in the plan of care for a patient who has ankylosing spondylitis
● Which of the following examination findings MOST likely indicates a favorable prognosis for
a patient who has a posterior lumbar disc herniation? 1.Centralization and ability to restore
extension mobility 2.Proximal symptoms and ability to restore flexion mobility
3.Peripheralization with flexion and a positive straight leg raise result 4.Leg pain with
extension and a negative crossed straight leg raise result. Answer: 1.Centralization and ability
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
● A pt with an incomplete C8 spinal cord injury reports of burning in the buttocks when sitting
in a wc. Which of the following problems with the pt's wc would be most likely to contribute to
the burning? 1. Footplates are too high 2. Footplates are too low 3. Seat is too narrow 4. Seat
is too deep. Answer: 1. Footplates are too high [Shift pt's weight posteriorly onto buttocks] 2:
shift pt weight forward, may cause problems on thigh 3: pressure on lateral pelvis and thighs
4: lead to posterior tilt and kyphotic posture
● A patient with diabetes had a right transtibial amputation 5 days ago. An advantage of a
rigid removable dressing versus bandaging is that the rigid dressing: 1.allows for early weight
bearing. 2.requires less monitoring. 3.allows applied pressure to be varied. 4.is less costly..
Answer: 1.allows for early weight bearing. 2: requires more supervision bc no access
available to incisions and the dressing is fabricated by the surgeon or prosthetist. As the
residual limb heals, sutures are removed, and the limb changes shape, a new cast must be
made. 3. Pressure cannot be varied when using a rigid dressing, unlike bandaging with an
elastic wrap or shrinker. 4. A rigid dressing requires careful application by a skilled individual
and, therefore, may be more costly. An elastic shrinker is a less expensive option.
● A patient with spinal stenosis is referred to physical therapy. The patient reports pain in the
right knee, ankle, and foot. While walking, the patient exhibits a mild foot-drop with no
evidence of hypertonicity. When weight bearing, the foot and ankle are pronated. Which of the
following orthoses is MOST appropriate? 1.Molded ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) 2.AFO with a
split stirrup 3.Custom insole with lateral arch supports 4.Metal AFO with the ankle set in 5° of
dorsiflexion. Answer: 1.Molded ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) 2: bulky and does not address
pronation 4: heavy and does not address pronation
● A home health patient who recently had a three-vessel coronary artery bypass graft
describes experiencing bilateral lower extremity swelling, leg pain, and shortness of breath,
especially when lying down. The patient MOST likely has which of the following diagnoses?
1.Deep vein thrombosis 2.Myocardial infarction 3.Pulmonary embolism 4.Heart failure.
Answer: 4.Heart failure 1: usually u/l 2: does not result in acute swelling 3: usually not
changed by position, and typically cardiac arrest 4: SS of HF: dyspnea, paroxysmal noctural
dyspnea, orthopnea, peripheral edema
, ● A patient reports a 2-day history of a hot, swollen, first metatarsophalangeal joint. This
complaint is MOST common in: 1.osteoarthritis. 2.polymyositis. 3.gout. 4.rheumatoid arthritis..
Answer: 3.gout. 4: symmetrical joint inflammation
● Which of the following options BEST describes the mode of action of
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors? 1.Reduction of heart rate and increase in
cardiac contractility 2.Reduction of heart rate and decrease in cardiac contractility 3.Reduction
of peripheral vascular resistance and increase in venous capacitance 4.Reduction of
peripheral vascular resistance and decrease in venous capacitance. Answer: 3.Reduction of
peripheral vascular resistance and increase in venous capacitance [vasodilation, reduce
peripheral vascular resistance, and increase venous capacitance]
● A patient reports low back pain that radiates down one leg below the knee. The patient also
reports numbness and tingling in the first web site. Which of the following examination findings
is MOST likely? 1.Diminished knee reflex 2.Diminished ankle reflex 3.Weakness of the
gastrocnemius 4.Weakness of the extensor hallucis longus. Answer: 4.Weakness of the
extensor hallucis longus
● A patient is unable to reach behind the low back during activities of daily living. Muscle
performance testing is pain-free, normal, and symmetrical. What is the MOST likely problem
contributing to this functional impairment? 1.Subscapularis disorder 2.Pectoralis minor
stiffness 3.Posterior capsular stiffness 4.Acromioclavicular joint arthrosis. Answer: 3.Posterior
capsular stiffness [limit shoulder IR] 2: limited in activities requiring upward rotation and
posterior tilting of scapular
● A physical therapist is designing a rehabilitation program for a patient who has a recent
diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. The therapist should anticipate that as the disease
progresses, the patient is MOST likely to require: 1.special precautions for osteoporosis. 2.a
wheelchair for community mobility. 3.spinal surgery. 4.bilateral ankle-foot orthoses.. Answer:
1.special precautions for osteoporosis. 1. Osteoporosis is a skeletal complication associated
with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis. 2. Requiring a wheelchair is incorrect because the
patient should still be able to walk, even with advanced stages of ankylosing spondylitis. 3.
Spinal surgery has a very limited role in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. 4. Peripheral
nerve dysfunction is not characteristic of ankylosing spondylitis. Orthoses to manage foot drop
would not be expected in the plan of care for a patient who has ankylosing spondylitis
● Which of the following examination findings MOST likely indicates a favorable prognosis for
a patient who has a posterior lumbar disc herniation? 1.Centralization and ability to restore
extension mobility 2.Proximal symptoms and ability to restore flexion mobility
3.Peripheralization with flexion and a positive straight leg raise result 4.Leg pain with
extension and a negative crossed straight leg raise result. Answer: 1.Centralization and ability
