Physical Therapist Examination
Assessment Tool (PEAT) Exam A
Study Guide – Practice Questions
and Explanations 2026/2027
Description: This comprehensive study guide provides 200 multiple-choice practice
questions designed to mirror the format and content of the Physical Therapist
Examination Assessment Tool (PEAT) Exam A. Each question includes four answer
choices with the correct answer clearly marked with a ✅. The questions cover all major
content areas of the PT licensure exam, including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular,
cardiopulmonary, integumentary, and other systems, as well as professional
responsibilities, research, and evidence-based practice. Answers are intentionally
randomized to prevent pattern memorization.
Keywords: PEAT Exam A, Physical Therapist, NPTE preparation, practice questions,
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, licensure exam, study
guide 2026/2027, MCQ revision.
1. A patient with a complete T4 spinal cord injury presents with autonomic
dysreflexia. What is the most likely triggering factor?
A. Full bladder ✅
B. Ambient temperature
C. Emotional stress
D. Hyperglycemia
,2. Which outcome measure is most appropriate for assessing balance in an older
adult with peripheral neuropathy?
A. Berg Balance Scale ✅
B. Numeric Pain Rating Scale
C. Manual Muscle Test
D. Goniometry
3. A physical therapist is performing a manual muscle test on the hip flexors. The
patient can complete full range of motion against gravity and moderate
resistance. What grade is this?
A. 3/5
B. 4/5 ✅
C. 2/5
D. 5/5
4. Which special test is used to assess for a posterior cruciate ligament tear?
A. Lachman test
B. Posterior drawer test ✅
C. McMurray test
D. Valgus stress test
5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed
pursed-lip breathing. What is the primary goal of this technique?
A. Increase respiratory rate
B. Prevent airway collapse during exhalation ✅
C. Increase tidal volume during inhalation
D. Strengthen the diaphragm
6. What is the most common cause of lower extremity amputation in the United
States?
A. Trauma
B. Peripheral vascular disease ✅
,C. Malignancy
D. Infection
7. A therapist is educating a patient on proper body mechanics for lifting. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. Bend at the waist and keep legs straight
B. Keep the load close to the body and bend at the knees ✅
C. Twist the trunk while lifting
D. Lift with arms extended away from the body
8. Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial expression?
A. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
B. Facial nerve (CN VII) ✅
C. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
D. Vagus nerve (CN X)
9. A patient reports numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle
fingers. Which condition is most likely?
A. Cubital tunnel syndrome
B. Carpal tunnel syndrome ✅
C. Guyon's canal syndrome
D. Radial nerve palsy
10. Which test is used to assess for a meniscal tear in the knee?
A. McMurray test ✅
B. Anterior drawer test
C. Lachman test
D. Thomas test
11. A physical therapist is assessing a patient's gait. The patient displays a
steppage gait pattern. Which nerve injury is most likely?
A. Femoral nerve
B. Peroneal nerve ✅
, C. Tibial nerve
D. Obturator nerve
12. What is the normal range of motion for shoulder flexion?
A. 0-90 degrees
B. 0-180 degrees ✅
C. 0-45 degrees
D. 0-120 degrees
13. A patient with a below-knee amputation is being fitted for a prosthesis. Which
component is responsible for the majority of weight-bearing?
A. The socket ✅
B. The pylon
C. The foot
D. The suspension system
14. Which of the following is a contraindication for ultrasound therapy?
A. Over a healing fracture
B. Over the eye ✅
C. Over muscle spasm
D. Over chronic edema
15. A therapist is performing a sensory test. The patient cannot detect light touch
on the plantar surface of the foot. Which sensory modality is impaired?
A. Proprioception
B. Light touch ✅
C. Vibration
D. Pain
16. What is the most appropriate exercise for a patient with osteoporosis to
prevent vertebral compression fractures?
A. Spinal flexion exercises
B. Spinal extension exercises ✅
Assessment Tool (PEAT) Exam A
Study Guide – Practice Questions
and Explanations 2026/2027
Description: This comprehensive study guide provides 200 multiple-choice practice
questions designed to mirror the format and content of the Physical Therapist
Examination Assessment Tool (PEAT) Exam A. Each question includes four answer
choices with the correct answer clearly marked with a ✅. The questions cover all major
content areas of the PT licensure exam, including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular,
cardiopulmonary, integumentary, and other systems, as well as professional
responsibilities, research, and evidence-based practice. Answers are intentionally
randomized to prevent pattern memorization.
Keywords: PEAT Exam A, Physical Therapist, NPTE preparation, practice questions,
musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, licensure exam, study
guide 2026/2027, MCQ revision.
1. A patient with a complete T4 spinal cord injury presents with autonomic
dysreflexia. What is the most likely triggering factor?
A. Full bladder ✅
B. Ambient temperature
C. Emotional stress
D. Hyperglycemia
,2. Which outcome measure is most appropriate for assessing balance in an older
adult with peripheral neuropathy?
A. Berg Balance Scale ✅
B. Numeric Pain Rating Scale
C. Manual Muscle Test
D. Goniometry
3. A physical therapist is performing a manual muscle test on the hip flexors. The
patient can complete full range of motion against gravity and moderate
resistance. What grade is this?
A. 3/5
B. 4/5 ✅
C. 2/5
D. 5/5
4. Which special test is used to assess for a posterior cruciate ligament tear?
A. Lachman test
B. Posterior drawer test ✅
C. McMurray test
D. Valgus stress test
5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed
pursed-lip breathing. What is the primary goal of this technique?
A. Increase respiratory rate
B. Prevent airway collapse during exhalation ✅
C. Increase tidal volume during inhalation
D. Strengthen the diaphragm
6. What is the most common cause of lower extremity amputation in the United
States?
A. Trauma
B. Peripheral vascular disease ✅
,C. Malignancy
D. Infection
7. A therapist is educating a patient on proper body mechanics for lifting. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. Bend at the waist and keep legs straight
B. Keep the load close to the body and bend at the knees ✅
C. Twist the trunk while lifting
D. Lift with arms extended away from the body
8. Which cranial nerve is responsible for facial expression?
A. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
B. Facial nerve (CN VII) ✅
C. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
D. Vagus nerve (CN X)
9. A patient reports numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle
fingers. Which condition is most likely?
A. Cubital tunnel syndrome
B. Carpal tunnel syndrome ✅
C. Guyon's canal syndrome
D. Radial nerve palsy
10. Which test is used to assess for a meniscal tear in the knee?
A. McMurray test ✅
B. Anterior drawer test
C. Lachman test
D. Thomas test
11. A physical therapist is assessing a patient's gait. The patient displays a
steppage gait pattern. Which nerve injury is most likely?
A. Femoral nerve
B. Peroneal nerve ✅
, C. Tibial nerve
D. Obturator nerve
12. What is the normal range of motion for shoulder flexion?
A. 0-90 degrees
B. 0-180 degrees ✅
C. 0-45 degrees
D. 0-120 degrees
13. A patient with a below-knee amputation is being fitted for a prosthesis. Which
component is responsible for the majority of weight-bearing?
A. The socket ✅
B. The pylon
C. The foot
D. The suspension system
14. Which of the following is a contraindication for ultrasound therapy?
A. Over a healing fracture
B. Over the eye ✅
C. Over muscle spasm
D. Over chronic edema
15. A therapist is performing a sensory test. The patient cannot detect light touch
on the plantar surface of the foot. Which sensory modality is impaired?
A. Proprioception
B. Light touch ✅
C. Vibration
D. Pain
16. What is the most appropriate exercise for a patient with osteoporosis to
prevent vertebral compression fractures?
A. Spinal flexion exercises
B. Spinal extension exercises ✅
