Physical Therapist Examination
Assessment Tool 3 Study Guide –
Practice Questions and Answers
2026/2027
Description: This comprehensive revision set contains 200 multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) designed to prepare physical therapist candidates for the PEAT Exam 3. The
questions cover key domains including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular,
cardiopulmonary, integumentary, and other systems, as well as professional
responsibilities, research, and evidence-based practice. Each question is followed by
the correct answer marked with a ✅ and a brief rationale for reinforcement.
Keywords: PEAT Exam 3, physical therapist, NPTE prep, practice questions,
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, clinical reasoning,
2026, 2027.
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial intervention for a patient
with acute low back pain without red flags?
A. Strict bed rest for 7 days
B. ✅ Encourage gradual return to normal activities
C. Lumbar traction immediately
D. Spinal manipulation under anesthesia
2. A patient presents with foot drop and sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot.
Which nerve is most likely involved?
A. Tibial nerve
B. ✅ Common peroneal (fibular) nerve
,C. Sural nerve
D. Saphenous nerve
3. Which outcome measure is best for assessing balance in an older adult with fall
risk?
A. Visual Analog Scale
B. ✅ Berg Balance Scale
C. Oswestry Disability Index
D. Numeric Pain Rating Scale
4. During gait, which muscle group is primarily responsible for controlling knee
flexion in early stance?
A. Hamstrings
B. ✅ Quadriceps
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior
5. A patient with COPD is desaturating during ambulation. What is the most
appropriate immediate action?
A. Continue walking to build endurance
B. ✅ Stop, rest, and administer supplemental oxygen if prescribed
C. Perform pursed-lip breathing while increasing speed
D. Lay patient supine and start chest percussion
6. Which special test is used to assess for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
integrity?
A. McMurray test
B. ✅ Lachman test
C. Thomas test
D. Ober test
7. A patient with a T6 spinal cord injury is at risk for autonomic dysreflexia. The
most common trigger is:
,A. Cold weather
B. ✅ Bladder distension
C. Loud noise
D. Deep breathing
8. Which modality is contraindicated over an area with active deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Ice
B. ✅ Massage
C. TENS
D. Ultrasound
9. The primary goal of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability
and Health (ICF) model is to:
A. Diagnose medical diseases
B. ✅ Describe function and disability across domains
C. Replace physical therapy evaluation
D. Standardize surgical procedures
10. A patient post-stroke has increased tone in the elbow flexors. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Vigorous resistance training to elbow flexors
B. ✅ Prolonged stretch and positioning
C. Ice massage to flexors
D. Electrical stimulation to flexors
11. Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial sensation and mastication?
A. Facial (VII)
B. ✅ Trigeminal (V)
C. Glossopharyngeal (IX)
D. Hypoglossal (XII)
, 12. A patient with Parkinson’s disease demonstrates festinating gait. This is best
described as:
A. Wide-based, shuffling gait
B. ✅ Small, rapid steps that accelerate
C. High-stepping gait
D. Circumducted gait
13. Which of the following is a red flag for spinal manipulation?
A. Mild muscle spasm
B. ✅ Progressive neurological deficit
C. Chronic low back pain
D. Restricted range of motion
14. The most appropriate exercise for a patient with adhesive capsulitis in the
frozen stage is:
A. Aggressive end-range mobilization
B. ✅ Gentle range of motion within pain-free limits
C. High-velocity thrust manipulation
D. Plyometric shoulder exercises
15. A patient with heart failure should be educated to monitor which of the
following daily?
A. Blood glucose
B. ✅ Body weight
C. Peak flow
D. Pupil dilation
16. Which muscle is most commonly affected in a rotator cuff tear?
A. Teres major
B. ✅ Supraspinatus
C. Deltoid
D. Latissimus dorsi
Assessment Tool 3 Study Guide –
Practice Questions and Answers
2026/2027
Description: This comprehensive revision set contains 200 multiple-choice questions
(MCQs) designed to prepare physical therapist candidates for the PEAT Exam 3. The
questions cover key domains including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular,
cardiopulmonary, integumentary, and other systems, as well as professional
responsibilities, research, and evidence-based practice. Each question is followed by
the correct answer marked with a ✅ and a brief rationale for reinforcement.
Keywords: PEAT Exam 3, physical therapist, NPTE prep, practice questions,
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, clinical reasoning,
2026, 2027.
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial intervention for a patient
with acute low back pain without red flags?
A. Strict bed rest for 7 days
B. ✅ Encourage gradual return to normal activities
C. Lumbar traction immediately
D. Spinal manipulation under anesthesia
2. A patient presents with foot drop and sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot.
Which nerve is most likely involved?
A. Tibial nerve
B. ✅ Common peroneal (fibular) nerve
,C. Sural nerve
D. Saphenous nerve
3. Which outcome measure is best for assessing balance in an older adult with fall
risk?
A. Visual Analog Scale
B. ✅ Berg Balance Scale
C. Oswestry Disability Index
D. Numeric Pain Rating Scale
4. During gait, which muscle group is primarily responsible for controlling knee
flexion in early stance?
A. Hamstrings
B. ✅ Quadriceps
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior
5. A patient with COPD is desaturating during ambulation. What is the most
appropriate immediate action?
A. Continue walking to build endurance
B. ✅ Stop, rest, and administer supplemental oxygen if prescribed
C. Perform pursed-lip breathing while increasing speed
D. Lay patient supine and start chest percussion
6. Which special test is used to assess for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
integrity?
A. McMurray test
B. ✅ Lachman test
C. Thomas test
D. Ober test
7. A patient with a T6 spinal cord injury is at risk for autonomic dysreflexia. The
most common trigger is:
,A. Cold weather
B. ✅ Bladder distension
C. Loud noise
D. Deep breathing
8. Which modality is contraindicated over an area with active deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Ice
B. ✅ Massage
C. TENS
D. Ultrasound
9. The primary goal of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability
and Health (ICF) model is to:
A. Diagnose medical diseases
B. ✅ Describe function and disability across domains
C. Replace physical therapy evaluation
D. Standardize surgical procedures
10. A patient post-stroke has increased tone in the elbow flexors. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Vigorous resistance training to elbow flexors
B. ✅ Prolonged stretch and positioning
C. Ice massage to flexors
D. Electrical stimulation to flexors
11. Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial sensation and mastication?
A. Facial (VII)
B. ✅ Trigeminal (V)
C. Glossopharyngeal (IX)
D. Hypoglossal (XII)
, 12. A patient with Parkinson’s disease demonstrates festinating gait. This is best
described as:
A. Wide-based, shuffling gait
B. ✅ Small, rapid steps that accelerate
C. High-stepping gait
D. Circumducted gait
13. Which of the following is a red flag for spinal manipulation?
A. Mild muscle spasm
B. ✅ Progressive neurological deficit
C. Chronic low back pain
D. Restricted range of motion
14. The most appropriate exercise for a patient with adhesive capsulitis in the
frozen stage is:
A. Aggressive end-range mobilization
B. ✅ Gentle range of motion within pain-free limits
C. High-velocity thrust manipulation
D. Plyometric shoulder exercises
15. A patient with heart failure should be educated to monitor which of the
following daily?
A. Blood glucose
B. ✅ Body weight
C. Peak flow
D. Pupil dilation
16. Which muscle is most commonly affected in a rotator cuff tear?
A. Teres major
B. ✅ Supraspinatus
C. Deltoid
D. Latissimus dorsi
