National Physical Therapy Examination
(NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants
(PTA) Practice Exam
1. A physical therapist assistant is preparing a patient for gait training with a
standard walker. Which gait pattern is most appropriate for a patient who
is non-weight-bearing on the left lower extremity?
A. Two-point gait
B. Three-point gait
C. Four-point gait
D. Swing-through gait
Answer: B. Three-point gait
Rationale: A three-point gait allows the patient to advance the walker and the
affected non-weight-bearing limb together while supporting body weight on the
unaffected limb.
2. Which muscle is the primary mover during shoulder abduction from 15° to
90°?
A. Supraspinatus
B. Latissimus dorsi
C. Deltoid
D. Teres major
Rationale: The deltoid is the primary abductor after the supraspinatus initiates
the first 15 degrees of motion.
, 3. During transfer training, a patient begins to lose balance. What should the
PTA do first?
A. Pull the patient upright by the gait belt
B. Step away and call for help
C. Lower the patient safely to the floor
D. Prevent movement by locking the knees
Rationale: Protecting the patient from injury by lowering them safely to the
floor is the priority when a fall cannot be prevented.
4. Which vital sign is generally considered normal for a healthy adult at rest?
A. 40 beats/min
B. 72 beats/min
C. 110 beats/min
D. 130 beats/min
Rationale: Normal resting heart rate for adults is generally 60–100 beats/min,
with approximately 72 beats/min considered average.
5. Which ligament primarily prevents anterior displacement of the tibia?
A. Posterior cruciate ligament
B. Medial collateral ligament
C. Lateral collateral ligament
D. Anterior cruciate ligament
Rationale: The ACL limits anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur.
6. Which modality is contraindicated over an area of active bleeding?
, A. Moist heat
B. Paraffin
C. Ultrasound
D. Whirlpool
Rationale: Ultrasound can increase blood flow and worsen active bleeding.
7. Which gait deviation is commonly associated with weakness of the gluteus
medius?
A. Steppage gait
B. Antalgic gait
C. Trendelenburg gait
D. Ataxic gait
Rationale: Weak hip abductors cause pelvic drop on the opposite side during
stance.
8. A patient with COPD should primarily use which breathing technique during
exercise?
A. Hyperventilation
B. Breath holding
C. Pursed-lip breathing
D. Rapid shallow breathing
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing reduces air trapping and improves ventilation.
9. Which position is most appropriate to drain the posterior basal segment of
the lower lobe?
(NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants
(PTA) Practice Exam
1. A physical therapist assistant is preparing a patient for gait training with a
standard walker. Which gait pattern is most appropriate for a patient who
is non-weight-bearing on the left lower extremity?
A. Two-point gait
B. Three-point gait
C. Four-point gait
D. Swing-through gait
Answer: B. Three-point gait
Rationale: A three-point gait allows the patient to advance the walker and the
affected non-weight-bearing limb together while supporting body weight on the
unaffected limb.
2. Which muscle is the primary mover during shoulder abduction from 15° to
90°?
A. Supraspinatus
B. Latissimus dorsi
C. Deltoid
D. Teres major
Rationale: The deltoid is the primary abductor after the supraspinatus initiates
the first 15 degrees of motion.
, 3. During transfer training, a patient begins to lose balance. What should the
PTA do first?
A. Pull the patient upright by the gait belt
B. Step away and call for help
C. Lower the patient safely to the floor
D. Prevent movement by locking the knees
Rationale: Protecting the patient from injury by lowering them safely to the
floor is the priority when a fall cannot be prevented.
4. Which vital sign is generally considered normal for a healthy adult at rest?
A. 40 beats/min
B. 72 beats/min
C. 110 beats/min
D. 130 beats/min
Rationale: Normal resting heart rate for adults is generally 60–100 beats/min,
with approximately 72 beats/min considered average.
5. Which ligament primarily prevents anterior displacement of the tibia?
A. Posterior cruciate ligament
B. Medial collateral ligament
C. Lateral collateral ligament
D. Anterior cruciate ligament
Rationale: The ACL limits anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur.
6. Which modality is contraindicated over an area of active bleeding?
, A. Moist heat
B. Paraffin
C. Ultrasound
D. Whirlpool
Rationale: Ultrasound can increase blood flow and worsen active bleeding.
7. Which gait deviation is commonly associated with weakness of the gluteus
medius?
A. Steppage gait
B. Antalgic gait
C. Trendelenburg gait
D. Ataxic gait
Rationale: Weak hip abductors cause pelvic drop on the opposite side during
stance.
8. A patient with COPD should primarily use which breathing technique during
exercise?
A. Hyperventilation
B. Breath holding
C. Pursed-lip breathing
D. Rapid shallow breathing
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing reduces air trapping and improves ventilation.
9. Which position is most appropriate to drain the posterior basal segment of
the lower lobe?
