PART 1 of 5: Foundations of Physical Therapist Assisting — Questions 1–100
This is Part 1 of the Physical Therapist
Assistant Program 5th Edition
Comprehensive Test Bank by Wendy D.
Bircher and Susan B. O'Sullivan.
FONT DIRECTIVE: Times New Roman, Font Size 14 (apply to all text when exporting to Word/PDF)
TABLE OF CONTENTS — PART 1 of 5
| Chapter | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| 1 | Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting | 1–10 |
| 2 | The Physical Therapy Profession and Team | 11–20 |
| 3 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Physical Therapy | 21–30 |
| 4 | Communication and Patient Education | 31–40 |
| 5 | The Musculoskeletal System | 41–50 |
| 6 | The Neuromuscular System | 51–60 |
| 7 | The Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems | 61–70 |
| 8 | Medical Terminology and Documentation | 71–80 |
| 9 | Infection Control and Safety | 81–90 |
| 10 | Patient Positioning and Body Mechanics | 91–100 |
---
### Chapter 1: Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting — Questions 1–10
**Q1.** The primary role of the physical therapist assistant (PTA) is to:
,A. Diagnose musculoskeletal conditions and prescribe treatment
B. Provide physical therapy interventions under the supervision of a physical therapist
C. Perform surgery on patients with orthopedic injuries
D. Prescribe medications for pain management
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The PTA provides physical therapy interventions under the supervision of a
licensed physical therapist. Option A is incorrect because diagnosis and prescription of treatment are
the responsibilities of the physical therapist. Option C is incorrect because surgery is outside the PTA
scope of practice. Option D is incorrect because prescribing medications is not part of physical
therapy practice. The PTA works collaboratively with the PT to implement the plan of care and
achieve patient goals.
---
**Q2.** Which of the following is a responsibility of the physical therapist assistant?
A. Marketing physical therapy services
B. Billing insurance claims
C. Implementing treatment interventions and documenting patient progress
D. Managing clinic payroll
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Implementing treatment interventions and documenting patient progress are
core responsibilities of the PTA. Option A is incorrect because marketing is an administrative
function. Option B is incorrect because billing is administrative. Option D is incorrect because payroll
is unrelated to clinical practice. The PTA's clinical role is central to patient care and rehabilitation
outcomes.
---
,**Q3.** Which organization credentials physical therapist assistants in the United States?
A. American Medical Association (AMA)
B. Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
C. American Nurses Association (ANA)
D. Joint Commission
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** FSBPT provides the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and supports
state licensure for PTAs. Option A is incorrect because AMA represents physicians. Option C is
incorrect because ANA represents nurses. Option D is incorrect because the Joint Commission
accredits healthcare organizations. Licensure through state boards ensures competency and public
protection.
---
**Q4.** Which of the following best describes the PTA's role in the physical therapy team?
A. Marketing hospital services
B. Billing insurance claims
C. Processing payroll
D. Implementing the plan of care established by the physical therapist
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The PTA implements the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
Option A is incorrect because marketing is unrelated. Option B is incorrect because billing is
administrative. Option C is incorrect because payroll is unrelated. The PTA contributes to patient
progress through skilled interventions and ongoing communication with the PT.
---
, **Q5.** The physical therapist assistant should report which of the following?
A. Stable patient condition
B. New changes in patient status or response to treatment
C. Good appetite
D. Normal vital signs
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** New changes in patient status or response to treatment must be reported to the
supervising physical therapist. Option A is incorrect because stable conditions do not require
reporting. Option C is incorrect because appetite is unrelated. Option D is incorrect because normal
vital signs are not reported as urgent. Reporting changes supports timely modification of the plan of
care.
---
**Q6.** Which of the following is a PTA credential?
A. PTA
B. RN
C. LPN
D. MD
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** PTA is the credential for a physical therapist assistant, indicating successful
completion of an accredited program and licensure. Option B is incorrect because RN is a nursing
credential. Option C is incorrect because LPN is a practical nursing credential. Option D is incorrect
because MD is a medical degree. PTA credentials demonstrate professional competence.
---
This is Part 1 of the Physical Therapist
Assistant Program 5th Edition
Comprehensive Test Bank by Wendy D.
Bircher and Susan B. O'Sullivan.
FONT DIRECTIVE: Times New Roman, Font Size 14 (apply to all text when exporting to Word/PDF)
TABLE OF CONTENTS — PART 1 of 5
| Chapter | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| 1 | Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting | 1–10 |
| 2 | The Physical Therapy Profession and Team | 11–20 |
| 3 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Physical Therapy | 21–30 |
| 4 | Communication and Patient Education | 31–40 |
| 5 | The Musculoskeletal System | 41–50 |
| 6 | The Neuromuscular System | 51–60 |
| 7 | The Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems | 61–70 |
| 8 | Medical Terminology and Documentation | 71–80 |
| 9 | Infection Control and Safety | 81–90 |
| 10 | Patient Positioning and Body Mechanics | 91–100 |
---
### Chapter 1: Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting — Questions 1–10
**Q1.** The primary role of the physical therapist assistant (PTA) is to:
,A. Diagnose musculoskeletal conditions and prescribe treatment
B. Provide physical therapy interventions under the supervision of a physical therapist
C. Perform surgery on patients with orthopedic injuries
D. Prescribe medications for pain management
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The PTA provides physical therapy interventions under the supervision of a
licensed physical therapist. Option A is incorrect because diagnosis and prescription of treatment are
the responsibilities of the physical therapist. Option C is incorrect because surgery is outside the PTA
scope of practice. Option D is incorrect because prescribing medications is not part of physical
therapy practice. The PTA works collaboratively with the PT to implement the plan of care and
achieve patient goals.
---
**Q2.** Which of the following is a responsibility of the physical therapist assistant?
A. Marketing physical therapy services
B. Billing insurance claims
C. Implementing treatment interventions and documenting patient progress
D. Managing clinic payroll
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Implementing treatment interventions and documenting patient progress are
core responsibilities of the PTA. Option A is incorrect because marketing is an administrative
function. Option B is incorrect because billing is administrative. Option D is incorrect because payroll
is unrelated to clinical practice. The PTA's clinical role is central to patient care and rehabilitation
outcomes.
---
,**Q3.** Which organization credentials physical therapist assistants in the United States?
A. American Medical Association (AMA)
B. Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
C. American Nurses Association (ANA)
D. Joint Commission
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** FSBPT provides the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and supports
state licensure for PTAs. Option A is incorrect because AMA represents physicians. Option C is
incorrect because ANA represents nurses. Option D is incorrect because the Joint Commission
accredits healthcare organizations. Licensure through state boards ensures competency and public
protection.
---
**Q4.** Which of the following best describes the PTA's role in the physical therapy team?
A. Marketing hospital services
B. Billing insurance claims
C. Processing payroll
D. Implementing the plan of care established by the physical therapist
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The PTA implements the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
Option A is incorrect because marketing is unrelated. Option B is incorrect because billing is
administrative. Option C is incorrect because payroll is unrelated. The PTA contributes to patient
progress through skilled interventions and ongoing communication with the PT.
---
, **Q5.** The physical therapist assistant should report which of the following?
A. Stable patient condition
B. New changes in patient status or response to treatment
C. Good appetite
D. Normal vital signs
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** New changes in patient status or response to treatment must be reported to the
supervising physical therapist. Option A is incorrect because stable conditions do not require
reporting. Option C is incorrect because appetite is unrelated. Option D is incorrect because normal
vital signs are not reported as urgent. Reporting changes supports timely modification of the plan of
care.
---
**Q6.** Which of the following is a PTA credential?
A. PTA
B. RN
C. LPN
D. MD
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** PTA is the credential for a physical therapist assistant, indicating successful
completion of an accredited program and licensure. Option B is incorrect because RN is a nursing
credential. Option C is incorrect because LPN is a practical nursing credential. Option D is incorrect
because MD is a medical degree. PTA credentials demonstrate professional competence.
---
