NPTE PT FINAL EXAM |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A 7-year-old male demonstrates the Gower's sign when attempting to stand up. Based on
the clinical findings, which of the following muscle groups are MOST likely to present with
decreased strength?
A. Gluteus maximus and lumbar paraspinals
B. Gluteus medius and quadriceps femoris
C. Peroneals and gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior and biceps femoris
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Gluteus maximus and lumbar paraspinals
Question 2
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is working with a patient with Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy (DMD). Which of the following hallmark signs would the PTA MOST likely
observe while working with this patient?
A. A gradual decrease in strength
B. Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction
C. Hyperreflexic deep tendon reflexes
D. Symmetrical weakness progressing from proximal to distal
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Symmetrical weakness progressing from proximal to distal
1
,Question 3
Which of the following cardiac tests would be the LEAST appropriate to assess for a
possible heart arrhythmia?
A. Echocardiogram
B. Electrocardiogram (EKG)
C. Exercise stress test with monitoring
D. Holter monitor
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Echocardiogram
Question 4
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is examining a 65-year-old female with a referring
diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease. The PTA palpates the patient's left dorsalis pedis
pulse and finds that the pulse is weak and difficult to palpate. Which of the following is
the MOST appropriate grade to assign to the patient's dorsalis pedis pulse?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
CORRECT ANSWER
A. 1+
Question 5
A 43-year-old female demonstrates difficulty internally rotating her hips. Which of the
following muscles is LEAST likely affected?
A. Gluteus minimus
B. Obturator internus
2
,C. Pectineus
D. Tensor fasciae latae
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Obturator internus
Question 6
While reviewing an intake form prior to evaluating a patient with low back pain, the
physical therapist assistant discovers that the patient has been diagnosed
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The clinician reviews their list of medications.
Which of the following medications would LEAST likely be used to treat the patient's
GERD?
A. Antacids
B. Antispasmodics
C. Histamine 2 receptor blocker
D. Proton pump inhibitor
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Antispasmodics
Question 7
A 42-year-old female who works as a secretary complains of numbness and tingling in her
index and middle fingers after prolonged typing on her computer keyboard. Which of the
following nerves would be the MOST appropriate to target when instructing the patient in
nerve glides?
A. Median nerve
B. Musculocutaneous nerve
C. Radial nerve
D. Ulnar nerve
CORRECT ANSWER
3
, A. Median nerve
Question 8
A 60-year-old male being seen in the outpatient clinic following a total knee replacement
also has the comorbidity of prostate cancer. Which of the following symptoms is LEAST
likely with this comorbidity?
Burning sensation with urination
Difficulty initiating flow
Frequent urination
Low back pain
CORRECT ANSWER
Burning sensation with urination
Question 9
A 63-year-old female complains of chest muscle spasms and intermittent sternal pain that
last several seconds and is sharp in nature. She reports that these symptoms occur
frequently for a few weeks at a time and then disappear completely but return several
weeks later. Upon auscultation of the heart, the physical therapist assistant can hear a
"murmur." Based on the clinical findings, which of the following symptoms would this
patient LEAST likely report?
Dyspnea
Fatigue
Orthopnea
Palpitations
CORRECT ANSWER
Orthopnea
4
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A 7-year-old male demonstrates the Gower's sign when attempting to stand up. Based on
the clinical findings, which of the following muscle groups are MOST likely to present with
decreased strength?
A. Gluteus maximus and lumbar paraspinals
B. Gluteus medius and quadriceps femoris
C. Peroneals and gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior and biceps femoris
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Gluteus maximus and lumbar paraspinals
Question 2
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is working with a patient with Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy (DMD). Which of the following hallmark signs would the PTA MOST likely
observe while working with this patient?
A. A gradual decrease in strength
B. Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction
C. Hyperreflexic deep tendon reflexes
D. Symmetrical weakness progressing from proximal to distal
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Symmetrical weakness progressing from proximal to distal
1
,Question 3
Which of the following cardiac tests would be the LEAST appropriate to assess for a
possible heart arrhythmia?
A. Echocardiogram
B. Electrocardiogram (EKG)
C. Exercise stress test with monitoring
D. Holter monitor
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Echocardiogram
Question 4
A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is examining a 65-year-old female with a referring
diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease. The PTA palpates the patient's left dorsalis pedis
pulse and finds that the pulse is weak and difficult to palpate. Which of the following is
the MOST appropriate grade to assign to the patient's dorsalis pedis pulse?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
CORRECT ANSWER
A. 1+
Question 5
A 43-year-old female demonstrates difficulty internally rotating her hips. Which of the
following muscles is LEAST likely affected?
A. Gluteus minimus
B. Obturator internus
2
,C. Pectineus
D. Tensor fasciae latae
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Obturator internus
Question 6
While reviewing an intake form prior to evaluating a patient with low back pain, the
physical therapist assistant discovers that the patient has been diagnosed
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The clinician reviews their list of medications.
Which of the following medications would LEAST likely be used to treat the patient's
GERD?
A. Antacids
B. Antispasmodics
C. Histamine 2 receptor blocker
D. Proton pump inhibitor
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Antispasmodics
Question 7
A 42-year-old female who works as a secretary complains of numbness and tingling in her
index and middle fingers after prolonged typing on her computer keyboard. Which of the
following nerves would be the MOST appropriate to target when instructing the patient in
nerve glides?
A. Median nerve
B. Musculocutaneous nerve
C. Radial nerve
D. Ulnar nerve
CORRECT ANSWER
3
, A. Median nerve
Question 8
A 60-year-old male being seen in the outpatient clinic following a total knee replacement
also has the comorbidity of prostate cancer. Which of the following symptoms is LEAST
likely with this comorbidity?
Burning sensation with urination
Difficulty initiating flow
Frequent urination
Low back pain
CORRECT ANSWER
Burning sensation with urination
Question 9
A 63-year-old female complains of chest muscle spasms and intermittent sternal pain that
last several seconds and is sharp in nature. She reports that these symptoms occur
frequently for a few weeks at a time and then disappear completely but return several
weeks later. Upon auscultation of the heart, the physical therapist assistant can hear a
"murmur." Based on the clinical findings, which of the following symptoms would this
patient LEAST likely report?
Dyspnea
Fatigue
Orthopnea
Palpitations
CORRECT ANSWER
Orthopnea
4
