Answers.
Which of the following is the SAFEST way to measure exercise intensity with a patient
taking a beta-blocker?
1. Performing oximetry
2. Taking the patient's pulse
3. Taking the patient's blood pressure
4. Asking about the patient's perceived level of exertion - Correct Answer 4
To avoid substitution during range of motion assessment for forearm pronation and
supination, the patient should be seated with the:
1. elbow fully extended, and the shoulder in neutral adduction.
2. elbow stabilized at 90° of flexion, and the shoulder in neutral adduction.
3. elbow stabilized at 90° of flexion, and the shoulder in 45° abduction.
4. wrist fully extended, and the shoulder in 45° abduction. - Correct Answer 2
A patient has a full-thickness burn to the antecubital region. Which of the following
positions is BEST for splinting the extremity?
1. Shoulder abduction and medial (internal) rotation
2. Elbow flexion and pronation
3. Elbow extension and supination
4. Shoulder adduction and lateral (external) rotation - Correct Answer 3
Compression of the S1nerve root is MOST likely to result in weakness of which muscle?
1. Iliacus
2. Rectus femoris
3. Sartorius
,4. Fibularis (peroneus) longus - Correct Answer 4
Which of the following statements is true regarding disposal of contaminated waste in a
health care facility?
1. As long as all soiled waste is placed in a bag marked for hazardous waste, no other
specific guidelines are required.
2. As long as all soiled waste is double-bagged and placed outside the patient treatment
area, no other specific guidelines are required.
3. Federal safety guidelines describe standard methods for disposal of contaminated
waste according to amount and type of fluids involved.
4. Guidelines developed by individual facilities should indicate which color of bag is used
for each type of waste for that particular facility. - Correct Answer 3
Which of the following is an effective method to increase the amount of weight-bearing on
the lower extremities when exercising in water?
1. Decrease the depth of water.
2. Increase the depth of water.
3. Increase the speed of the exercise.
4. Decrease the speed of the exercise. - Correct Answer 1
A patient sustained a displaced fracture to the right lateral epicondyle resulting in wrist
drop. A physical therapist assistant should suspect injury to which structure?
1. Radial nerve
2. Ulnar nerve
3. Median nerve
4. Brachial plexus - Correct Answer 1
Tapping or vibration of the skin over the posterior calf is MOST likely to have which of the
following effects?
1. Inhibiting plantar flexion
2. Facilitating plantar flexion
3. Inhibiting eversion
,4. Facilitating eversion - Correct Answer 2
A patient with a posterolateral lumbar disc herniation walks with the trunk in slight flexion
and rotation. Which of the following positioning strategies for the patient at work would
MOST reduce the chance of additional pressure on the injury?
1. Maintain the current standing posture as much as possible.
2. Sit as much as possible using a normal erect posture.
3. Sit as much as possible with the trunk posture in slight flexion.
4. Stand with a normal erect posture as much as possible. - Correct Answer 4
During auscultation over the chest of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, crackles were noted in bilateral upper lobes, posterior segments. In which
position should the patient be placed for postural drainage?
1. Supine on a flat table with a pillow under the knees
2. Seated leaning back on a folded pillow at a 30° angle
3. Supine on a table tilted 20° with the head down, on either side
4. Seated leaning forward over a folded pillow at a 30° angle - Correct Answer 4
A patient rocks back and forth repeatedly before being able to transition from sitting
position to standing position. Which of the following muscles is MOST likely to be weak?
1. Gluteus medius
2. Erector spinae
3. Iliopsoas
4. Quadriceps - Correct Answer 4
A patient with asthma begins to exhibit wheezing and becomes very anxious. Which of the
following inflammatory reactions would MOST likely be occurring in the patient?
1. Bronchodilation and increased airway resistance
2. Bronchodilation and decreased airway resistance
3. Bronchoconstriction and increased airway resistance
4. Bronchoconstriction and decreased airway resistance - Correct Answer 3
, Slow, sustained application of which of the following manual techniques is MOSTlikely to
decrease muscle spasm and reduce pain?
1. Joint traction
2. Joint approximation
3. Muscle resistance
4. Light touch - Correct Answer 1
To correctly fit a single-point cane, the handpiece should be level with which of the
following structures?
1. Iliac crest
2. Greater trochanter
3. Femoral head
4. Anterior superior iliac spine - Correct Answer 2
A physical therapist assistant moves a patient's left upper extremity into different positions
and asks the patient to demonstrate the same position with the right upper extremity with
the eyes closed. The assistant is assessing the patient's:
1. proprioception.
2. graphesthesia.
3. cortical reflexes.
4. coordination. - Correct Answer 1
A patient with a T6 spinal cord level (ASIA Impairment Scale A) will have the MOST
difficulty performing which of the following functions?
1. Transitioning from supine to sidelying position
2. Transitioning from supine to long sitting position
3. Coughing and expelling secretions
4. Breathing without artificial ventilation - Correct Answer 3
Which of the following strategies is BEST for making informed clinical decisions about a
patient's treatment interventions?
1. Systematically review current research relevant to the patient's problem.