NPTE-PTA Exam Prep 2026/2027 | 300+ Practice Questions &
Detailed Rationales | Complete Physical Therapist Assistant
Study
1. A patient demonstrates weakness of the quadriceps following
knee surgery. Which action would be most appropriate for
strengthening the quadriceps initially?
A. Straight-leg raise
B. Biceps curl
C. Wrist extension
D. Cervical rotation
Correct answer: A. Straight-leg raise
Rationale: A straight-leg raise activates the quadriceps while
minimizing knee-joint movement. It is commonly used early after
knee procedures when active knee motion may be limited.
2. Which muscle is primarily responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Tibialis anterior
C. Soleus
D. Flexor hallucis longus
Correct answer: B. Tibialis anterior
Rationale: The tibialis anterior is the major dorsiflexor of the ankle
and also contributes to inversion.
3. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Transverse
C. Frontal
, D. Oblique
Correct answer: C. Frontal
Rationale: The frontal plane separates the body into anterior and
posterior sections.
4. A patient with a lower motor neuron lesion is most likely to
demonstrate which finding?
A. Spasticity
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Flaccidity
D. Positive Babinski sign
Correct answer: C. Flaccidity
Rationale: Lower motor neuron lesions commonly produce flaccid
weakness, decreased muscle tone, muscle atrophy, and
diminished reflexes.
5. Which gait deviation is commonly associated with weak hip
abductors?
A. Trendelenburg gait
B. Steppage gait
C. Antalgic gait
D. Festinating gait
Correct answer: A. Trendelenburg gait
Rationale: Weakness of the stance-side hip abductors causes the
pelvis to drop toward the unsupported side.
6. Which muscle is the primary hip abductor?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Iliopsoas
, D. Adductor magnus
Correct answer: B. Gluteus medius
Rationale: The gluteus medius is a major hip abductor and is
essential for maintaining pelvic stability during single-leg stance.
7. Which assistive device provides the greatest base of support?
A. Single-point cane
B. Axillary crutches
C. Rolling walker
D. Hemi-cane
Correct answer: C. Rolling walker
Rationale: A walker provides a broad base of support and
generally offers greater stability than a cane or crutches.
8. When fitting a standard cane, the elbow should generally be
positioned in:
A. Full extension
B. Approximately 20–30° of flexion
C. Approximately 60° of flexion
D. Maximum flexion
Correct answer: B. Approximately 20–30° of flexion
Rationale: Slight elbow flexion allows the patient to bear weight
effectively through the upper extremity without excessive
elevation or depression of the shoulder.
9. A patient with right lower-extremity weakness is using a cane. On
which side should the cane normally be held?
A. Right side
B. Left side
C. Either side
, D. Behind the patient
Correct answer: B. Left side
Rationale: Holding the cane opposite the involved lower extremity
improves mechanical support and decreases the demand on the
weak limb.
10. Which gait pattern is most appropriate for a patient who is
non-weight-bearing on one lower extremity and has adequate
upper-extremity strength?
A. Four-point gait
B. Three-point gait
C. Two-point gait
D. Reciprocal gait
Correct answer: B. Three-point gait
Rationale: A three-point gait allows both assistive devices to
advance with the involved leg while the involved leg remains non-
weight-bearing.
11. Which muscle is primarily responsible for knee extension?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Sartorius
Correct answer: B. Quadriceps
Rationale: The quadriceps femoris group extends the knee and is
critical for standing, stair negotiation, and controlled lowering.
12. Which structure connects muscle to bone?
A. Ligament
B. Tendon
Detailed Rationales | Complete Physical Therapist Assistant
Study
1. A patient demonstrates weakness of the quadriceps following
knee surgery. Which action would be most appropriate for
strengthening the quadriceps initially?
A. Straight-leg raise
B. Biceps curl
C. Wrist extension
D. Cervical rotation
Correct answer: A. Straight-leg raise
Rationale: A straight-leg raise activates the quadriceps while
minimizing knee-joint movement. It is commonly used early after
knee procedures when active knee motion may be limited.
2. Which muscle is primarily responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Tibialis anterior
C. Soleus
D. Flexor hallucis longus
Correct answer: B. Tibialis anterior
Rationale: The tibialis anterior is the major dorsiflexor of the ankle
and also contributes to inversion.
3. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Transverse
C. Frontal
, D. Oblique
Correct answer: C. Frontal
Rationale: The frontal plane separates the body into anterior and
posterior sections.
4. A patient with a lower motor neuron lesion is most likely to
demonstrate which finding?
A. Spasticity
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Flaccidity
D. Positive Babinski sign
Correct answer: C. Flaccidity
Rationale: Lower motor neuron lesions commonly produce flaccid
weakness, decreased muscle tone, muscle atrophy, and
diminished reflexes.
5. Which gait deviation is commonly associated with weak hip
abductors?
A. Trendelenburg gait
B. Steppage gait
C. Antalgic gait
D. Festinating gait
Correct answer: A. Trendelenburg gait
Rationale: Weakness of the stance-side hip abductors causes the
pelvis to drop toward the unsupported side.
6. Which muscle is the primary hip abductor?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Gluteus medius
C. Iliopsoas
, D. Adductor magnus
Correct answer: B. Gluteus medius
Rationale: The gluteus medius is a major hip abductor and is
essential for maintaining pelvic stability during single-leg stance.
7. Which assistive device provides the greatest base of support?
A. Single-point cane
B. Axillary crutches
C. Rolling walker
D. Hemi-cane
Correct answer: C. Rolling walker
Rationale: A walker provides a broad base of support and
generally offers greater stability than a cane or crutches.
8. When fitting a standard cane, the elbow should generally be
positioned in:
A. Full extension
B. Approximately 20–30° of flexion
C. Approximately 60° of flexion
D. Maximum flexion
Correct answer: B. Approximately 20–30° of flexion
Rationale: Slight elbow flexion allows the patient to bear weight
effectively through the upper extremity without excessive
elevation or depression of the shoulder.
9. A patient with right lower-extremity weakness is using a cane. On
which side should the cane normally be held?
A. Right side
B. Left side
C. Either side
, D. Behind the patient
Correct answer: B. Left side
Rationale: Holding the cane opposite the involved lower extremity
improves mechanical support and decreases the demand on the
weak limb.
10. Which gait pattern is most appropriate for a patient who is
non-weight-bearing on one lower extremity and has adequate
upper-extremity strength?
A. Four-point gait
B. Three-point gait
C. Two-point gait
D. Reciprocal gait
Correct answer: B. Three-point gait
Rationale: A three-point gait allows both assistive devices to
advance with the involved leg while the involved leg remains non-
weight-bearing.
11. Which muscle is primarily responsible for knee extension?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Sartorius
Correct answer: B. Quadriceps
Rationale: The quadriceps femoris group extends the knee and is
critical for standing, stair negotiation, and controlled lowering.
12. Which structure connects muscle to bone?
A. Ligament
B. Tendon
