Update
A PTA instructs a patient with a Foley catheter in ambulation activities. During
ambulation, the therapist should position the collection bag:
a. above the level of the patient's bladder
b. below the level of the patient's bladder
c. above the level of the patient's heart
d. below the level of the patient's heart
b. below the patient's bladder
A PTA monitors a patient's pulse after ambulation activities. The therapist notes
that at times the rhythm of the pulse is irregular. When assessing the patient;s
pulse rate the therapist should measure the pulse for:
a. 10 seconds
b. 15 seconds
c. 30 seconds
d. 60 seconds
d. 60 seconds
A PTA completes an isokinetic test on an 18-year-old male rehabilitating from a
medial meniscectomy. The therapist notes that the patient generates 140 ft/lbs of
force using the uninvolved quadriceps at 60°/sec. Assuming a normal ratio of
,hamstrings to quadriceps strength, which of the following would be an acceptable
hamstrings value at 60° per second?
a. 64 ft/lbs
b. 84 ft/lbs
c. 114 ft/lbs
d. 116 ft/lbs
b. 84 ft/lbs
A physical therapist assistant presents an in-service to the rehabilitation staff that
compares traditional gait terminology with Rancho Los Amigos terminology.
Which pair of descriptive terms describes the same general point in the gait cycle?
A. Midstance to heel off and initial swing
B. Heel strike and initial contact
C. Foot flat to midstance and loading response
D. Toe off and midswing
B. Heel strike and initial contact
A physical therapist assistant monitors the vital signs of a patient running on a
treadmill at a series of steadily increasing speeds. A change in which variable
would be MOST responsible for an observed increase in pulse pressure during the
exercise sessions?
A. Heart rate
B. Systolic blood pressure
,C. Diastolic blood pressure
D. Cardiac output
B. Systolic blood pressure
A physical therapist assistant inspects a patient's wheelchair and identifies that
the drive wheel axle is aligned further posterior than it typically would be in a
standard wheelchair. This type of alignment would MOST likely result in which of
the following outcomes?
A. Decreased rolling resistance
B. Increased ability to balance on the rear wheels
C. Decreased turning radius
D. Increased energy required for propulsion
D. Increased energy required for propulsion
A physical therapist assistant works with a patient on gait training using bilateral
axillary crutches. The right axillary crutch is modified with a platform attachment.
The MOST likely reason for this modification is to accommodate a patient with
which of the following problems?
A. A radial nerve injury
B A proximal humeral fracture
C. Impaired balance and coordination
D. A transhumeral amputation
A. A radial nerve injury
, A physical therapist assistant assesses the posture of a patient from a lateral view
using a plumb line. Which of the following medical conditions would be the LEAST
likely to result in the external auditory meatus being anterior to the plumb line?
A. Ankylosing spondylitis
B. Graves' disease
C. Osteoporosis
D. Parkinson's disease
B. Graves' disease
A patient with cardiovascular pathology is placed on a diuretic. Which type of
laboratory test should be the MOST essential for the physical therapist assistant to
monitor based on the patient's prescribed medication?
A. Cardiac biomarkers
B. Prothrombin time
C. Serum electrolytes
D. Serum cholesterol
C. Serum electrolytes
A patient reports recurrent ankle pain. The physical therapist directs a physical
therapist assistant to perform ultrasound over the peroneus longus and brevis
tendons. Which of the following locations is the MOST appropriate for the
application of ultrasound?
A. Inferior to the sustentaculum tali