ABC ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS BOARD
WRITTEN EXAM LATEST UPDATE 2026|2027|A
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF 350 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES |PASS GUARANTEED
Questions 1-50: Patient Evaluation
1. A "gait cycle" refers to all activity that occurs between:
A. Double support on one side and the following support on the opposite side
B. Heel contact and push off
C. Heel strike on one side and the following heel strike on the same side
D. Heel strike on one side and the following heel strike on the opposite side
Answer: C
Rationale: A gait cycle is defined as the interval from initial contact (heel strike)
of one foot to the next initial contact of the same foot. This encompasses one full
stance and swing phase for that limb.
2. Another name for the palmar surface is the:
A. Dorsal surface
B. Lateral surface
C. Medial surface
D. Volar surface
Answer: D
Rationale: The palmar surface of the hand is also referred to as the volar surface.
The dorsal surface is the back of the hand.
3. Genu recurvatum is a condition in which the knee is:
A. Hyperflexes
B. Hyperextended
,C. Adducted
D. Abducted
Answer: B
Rationale: Genu recurvatum describes excessive hyperextension at the knee joint
beyond the normal neutral position.
4. A "contralateral extremity" is best defined as:
A. An extremity on the same side of the body
B. An extremity underweight bearing
C. An extremity on the opposite side of the body
D. An extremity during swing phase
Answer: C
Rationale: Contralateral means relating to or denoting the opposite side of the
body. The contralateral extremity is on the opposite side from the reference point.
5. Which of the following is a primary knee extensor?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Rectus femoris
C. Iliopsoas
D. Soleus
Answer: B
Rationale: The rectus femoris is one of the four muscles of the quadriceps group,
which are the primary knee extensors. The gastrocnemius and soleus are plantar
flexors, and iliopsoas is a hip flexor.
6. The distal end of the fibula is called the:
A. Medial malleolus
B. Lateral malleolus
C. Lateral epicondyle
D. Tibial tuberosity
Answer: B
Rationale: The lateral malleolus is the bony prominence at the distal end of the
fibula, forming the lateral aspect of the ankle joint. The medial malleolus is the
distal end of the tibia.
,7. When dividing the body into anterior and posterior halves, which
anatomical plane is used?
A. Sagittal
B. Coronal
C. Transverse
D. Oblique
Answer: B
Rationale: The coronal (frontal) plane divides the body into anterior (front) and
posterior (back) sections. The sagittal plane divides into left and right.
8. In the anatomical position, the hands are:
A. Pronated
B. Flexed
C. Extended
D. Supinated
Answer: D
Rationale: In the standard anatomical position, the body is upright with arms at
the sides and palms facing forward (supinated). This serves as the reference for all
directional terminology.
9. Inversion and eversion occur in which plane?
A. Sagittal
B. Frontal (Coronal)
C. Transverse
D. Oblique
Answer: B
Rationale: Inversion (turning the sole inward) and eversion (turning the sole
outward) are frontal plane movements. Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion occur in the
sagittal plane.
10. Genu Valium is also referred to as:
A. Knock knee
B. Bow leg
C. Femoral anteversion
D. Tibial torsion
, Answer: A
Rationale: Genu valium describes a condition where the knees angle inward and
touch each other when the legs are straightened, commonly called "knock knee."
Bow leg is genu varum.
11. A Trendelenburg gait occurs with weakness of which muscle?
A. Gluteus Medius
B. Gluteus maximus
C. Adductor magnus
D. Rectus femoris
Answer: A
Rationale: The gluteus Medius prevents contralateral pelvic drop during single-leg
stance. Weakness results in a Trendelenburg gait pattern where the pelvis drops on
the opposite side.
12. The stance phase of gait constitutes approximately what percentage of the
gait cycle at normal walking speed?
A. 40%
B. 50%
C. 60%
D. 70%
Answer: C
Rationale: The stance phase comprises approximately 60% of the gait cycle, while
the swing phase makes up the remaining 40% at normal walking speeds.
13. During normal human locomotion, the center of gravity travels through a
sinusoidal pathway that is modified by six determinants of gait. Which of the
following is NOT considered one of the six determinants?
A. Pelvic extension
B. Foot and ankle synchronization
C. Knee flexion
D. Lateral pelvic displacement
Answer: A
Rationale: The six determinants of gait are: lateral pelvic displacement, pelvic
WRITTEN EXAM LATEST UPDATE 2026|2027|A
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF 350 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES |PASS GUARANTEED
Questions 1-50: Patient Evaluation
1. A "gait cycle" refers to all activity that occurs between:
A. Double support on one side and the following support on the opposite side
B. Heel contact and push off
C. Heel strike on one side and the following heel strike on the same side
D. Heel strike on one side and the following heel strike on the opposite side
Answer: C
Rationale: A gait cycle is defined as the interval from initial contact (heel strike)
of one foot to the next initial contact of the same foot. This encompasses one full
stance and swing phase for that limb.
2. Another name for the palmar surface is the:
A. Dorsal surface
B. Lateral surface
C. Medial surface
D. Volar surface
Answer: D
Rationale: The palmar surface of the hand is also referred to as the volar surface.
The dorsal surface is the back of the hand.
3. Genu recurvatum is a condition in which the knee is:
A. Hyperflexes
B. Hyperextended
,C. Adducted
D. Abducted
Answer: B
Rationale: Genu recurvatum describes excessive hyperextension at the knee joint
beyond the normal neutral position.
4. A "contralateral extremity" is best defined as:
A. An extremity on the same side of the body
B. An extremity underweight bearing
C. An extremity on the opposite side of the body
D. An extremity during swing phase
Answer: C
Rationale: Contralateral means relating to or denoting the opposite side of the
body. The contralateral extremity is on the opposite side from the reference point.
5. Which of the following is a primary knee extensor?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Rectus femoris
C. Iliopsoas
D. Soleus
Answer: B
Rationale: The rectus femoris is one of the four muscles of the quadriceps group,
which are the primary knee extensors. The gastrocnemius and soleus are plantar
flexors, and iliopsoas is a hip flexor.
6. The distal end of the fibula is called the:
A. Medial malleolus
B. Lateral malleolus
C. Lateral epicondyle
D. Tibial tuberosity
Answer: B
Rationale: The lateral malleolus is the bony prominence at the distal end of the
fibula, forming the lateral aspect of the ankle joint. The medial malleolus is the
distal end of the tibia.
,7. When dividing the body into anterior and posterior halves, which
anatomical plane is used?
A. Sagittal
B. Coronal
C. Transverse
D. Oblique
Answer: B
Rationale: The coronal (frontal) plane divides the body into anterior (front) and
posterior (back) sections. The sagittal plane divides into left and right.
8. In the anatomical position, the hands are:
A. Pronated
B. Flexed
C. Extended
D. Supinated
Answer: D
Rationale: In the standard anatomical position, the body is upright with arms at
the sides and palms facing forward (supinated). This serves as the reference for all
directional terminology.
9. Inversion and eversion occur in which plane?
A. Sagittal
B. Frontal (Coronal)
C. Transverse
D. Oblique
Answer: B
Rationale: Inversion (turning the sole inward) and eversion (turning the sole
outward) are frontal plane movements. Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion occur in the
sagittal plane.
10. Genu Valium is also referred to as:
A. Knock knee
B. Bow leg
C. Femoral anteversion
D. Tibial torsion
, Answer: A
Rationale: Genu valium describes a condition where the knees angle inward and
touch each other when the legs are straightened, commonly called "knock knee."
Bow leg is genu varum.
11. A Trendelenburg gait occurs with weakness of which muscle?
A. Gluteus Medius
B. Gluteus maximus
C. Adductor magnus
D. Rectus femoris
Answer: A
Rationale: The gluteus Medius prevents contralateral pelvic drop during single-leg
stance. Weakness results in a Trendelenburg gait pattern where the pelvis drops on
the opposite side.
12. The stance phase of gait constitutes approximately what percentage of the
gait cycle at normal walking speed?
A. 40%
B. 50%
C. 60%
D. 70%
Answer: C
Rationale: The stance phase comprises approximately 60% of the gait cycle, while
the swing phase makes up the remaining 40% at normal walking speeds.
13. During normal human locomotion, the center of gravity travels through a
sinusoidal pathway that is modified by six determinants of gait. Which of the
following is NOT considered one of the six determinants?
A. Pelvic extension
B. Foot and ankle synchronization
C. Knee flexion
D. Lateral pelvic displacement
Answer: A
Rationale: The six determinants of gait are: lateral pelvic displacement, pelvic
