Illinois Physical Therapist Assistant
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which muscle is the primary contributor to ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Soleus
C. Tibialis anterior
D. Flexor hallucis longus
Answer: C. Tibialis anterior
Rationale: The tibialis anterior is the primary muscle responsible for
ankle dorsiflexion and also contributes to inversion of the foot.
Gastrocnemius and soleus primarily produce plantarflexion, while
flexor hallucis longus primarily flexes the great toe and assists with
plantarflexion.
2. A patient with a complete spinal cord injury at the C6 level is most
likely to demonstrate which functional ability?
A. Independent finger flexion
B. Functional wrist extension
C. Normal triceps strength
D. Independent standing without assistance
Answer: B. Functional wrist extension
,Rationale: A C6-level injury generally preserves wrist extension
through the extensor carpi radialis muscles. Triceps function, finger
flexion, and lower-extremity motor control are substantially impaired
or absent with a complete C6 injury.
3. Which gait deviation is most commonly associated with weakness
of the hip abductors?
A. Trendelenburg gait
B. Steppage gait
C. Antalgic gait
D. Ataxic gait
Answer: A. Trendelenburg gait
Rationale: Hip abductor weakness, particularly weakness of the
gluteus medius, can cause the pelvis to drop on the contralateral side
during single-limb stance. This produces a Trendelenburg sign and
may result in a compensatory trunk lean toward the stance limb.
4. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle produces
tension while lengthening?
A. Isometric
B. Concentric
C. Isokinetic
D. Eccentric
Answer: D. Eccentric
Rationale: An eccentric contraction occurs when the muscle develops
tension while lengthening. This type of contraction is important for
controlled lowering, deceleration, shock absorption, and eccentric
strengthening.
, 5. A patient is prescribed a cane because of right lower-extremity
weakness. On which side should the cane generally be held?
A. Right side
B. Left side
C. Either side with no difference
D. Behind the patient
Answer: B. Left side
Rationale: A cane is generally held on the side opposite the involved
lower extremity. Holding the cane in the left hand for right-leg
weakness allows the patient to increase the base of support and reduce
loading on the involved right limb while improving mechanical
efficiency.
6. Which joint classification best describes the shoulder
glenohumeral joint?
A. Ball-and-socket synovial joint
B. Hinge joint
C. Pivot joint
D. Saddle joint
Answer: A. Ball-and-socket synovial joint
Rationale: The glenohumeral joint is a ball-and-socket joint that
permits movement in multiple planes, including flexion, extension,
abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation, and
circumduction.
7. Which vital-sign finding should cause a PTA to immediately
reassess a patient before continuing vigorous exercise?
A. Resting heart rate of 72 beats/minute
B. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/minute
, C. Blood pressure of 118/74 mmHg
D. New onset chest pain during exercise
Answer: D. New onset chest pain during exercise
Rationale: New chest pain during exercise may indicate myocardial
ischemia or another potentially serious cardiopulmonary problem. The
PTA should stop the activity, assess the patient, notify the supervising
physical therapist and appropriate medical personnel, and follow
emergency procedures as indicated.
8. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Transverse
C. Frontal
D. Oblique
Answer: C. Frontal
Rationale: The frontal, or coronal, plane divides the body into anterior
and posterior portions. The sagittal plane divides the body into right
and left portions, while the transverse plane divides it into superior
and inferior portions.
9. Which assistive device provides the greatest amount of stability?
A. Single-point cane
B. Standard walker
C. Axillary crutches
D. Loftstrand crutches
Answer: B. Standard walker
Rationale: A standard walker generally provides the greatest stability
among these commonly used ambulatory devices because it has a
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which muscle is the primary contributor to ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Soleus
C. Tibialis anterior
D. Flexor hallucis longus
Answer: C. Tibialis anterior
Rationale: The tibialis anterior is the primary muscle responsible for
ankle dorsiflexion and also contributes to inversion of the foot.
Gastrocnemius and soleus primarily produce plantarflexion, while
flexor hallucis longus primarily flexes the great toe and assists with
plantarflexion.
2. A patient with a complete spinal cord injury at the C6 level is most
likely to demonstrate which functional ability?
A. Independent finger flexion
B. Functional wrist extension
C. Normal triceps strength
D. Independent standing without assistance
Answer: B. Functional wrist extension
,Rationale: A C6-level injury generally preserves wrist extension
through the extensor carpi radialis muscles. Triceps function, finger
flexion, and lower-extremity motor control are substantially impaired
or absent with a complete C6 injury.
3. Which gait deviation is most commonly associated with weakness
of the hip abductors?
A. Trendelenburg gait
B. Steppage gait
C. Antalgic gait
D. Ataxic gait
Answer: A. Trendelenburg gait
Rationale: Hip abductor weakness, particularly weakness of the
gluteus medius, can cause the pelvis to drop on the contralateral side
during single-limb stance. This produces a Trendelenburg sign and
may result in a compensatory trunk lean toward the stance limb.
4. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle produces
tension while lengthening?
A. Isometric
B. Concentric
C. Isokinetic
D. Eccentric
Answer: D. Eccentric
Rationale: An eccentric contraction occurs when the muscle develops
tension while lengthening. This type of contraction is important for
controlled lowering, deceleration, shock absorption, and eccentric
strengthening.
, 5. A patient is prescribed a cane because of right lower-extremity
weakness. On which side should the cane generally be held?
A. Right side
B. Left side
C. Either side with no difference
D. Behind the patient
Answer: B. Left side
Rationale: A cane is generally held on the side opposite the involved
lower extremity. Holding the cane in the left hand for right-leg
weakness allows the patient to increase the base of support and reduce
loading on the involved right limb while improving mechanical
efficiency.
6. Which joint classification best describes the shoulder
glenohumeral joint?
A. Ball-and-socket synovial joint
B. Hinge joint
C. Pivot joint
D. Saddle joint
Answer: A. Ball-and-socket synovial joint
Rationale: The glenohumeral joint is a ball-and-socket joint that
permits movement in multiple planes, including flexion, extension,
abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation, and
circumduction.
7. Which vital-sign finding should cause a PTA to immediately
reassess a patient before continuing vigorous exercise?
A. Resting heart rate of 72 beats/minute
B. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/minute
, C. Blood pressure of 118/74 mmHg
D. New onset chest pain during exercise
Answer: D. New onset chest pain during exercise
Rationale: New chest pain during exercise may indicate myocardial
ischemia or another potentially serious cardiopulmonary problem. The
PTA should stop the activity, assess the patient, notify the supervising
physical therapist and appropriate medical personnel, and follow
emergency procedures as indicated.
8. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Transverse
C. Frontal
D. Oblique
Answer: C. Frontal
Rationale: The frontal, or coronal, plane divides the body into anterior
and posterior portions. The sagittal plane divides the body into right
and left portions, while the transverse plane divides it into superior
and inferior portions.
9. Which assistive device provides the greatest amount of stability?
A. Single-point cane
B. Standard walker
C. Axillary crutches
D. Loftstrand crutches
Answer: B. Standard walker
Rationale: A standard walker generally provides the greatest stability
among these commonly used ambulatory devices because it has a
