NPTE-PTA Practice Exam 2026/2027 | 300+ Questions, Correct
Answers & Detailed Explanations | Physical Therapist Assistant
1. Which muscle is the primary hip extensor during a sit-to-stand
movement?
A. Iliopsoas
B. Gluteus maximus
C. Sartorius
D. Rectus femoris
Correct answer: B. Gluteus maximus
Explanation: The gluteus maximus is the strongest hip extensor
and contributes substantially to rising from a chair.
2. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Transverse
C. Frontal
D. Oblique
Correct answer: C. Frontal
Explanation: The frontal plane separates the body into anterior
and posterior sections.
3. Which muscle is primarily responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Soleus
C. Tibialis anterior
D. Flexor hallucis longus
Correct answer: C. Tibialis anterior
, Explanation: Tibialis anterior is the primary dorsiflexor and also
assists with foot inversion.
4. A patient with a C6 spinal cord injury is most likely to retain
which movement?
A. Finger abduction
B. Elbow flexion
C. Ankle dorsiflexion
D. Hip extension
Correct answer: B. Elbow flexion
Explanation: C6 function includes elbow flexion through the
biceps and brachioradialis.
5. Which gait pattern uses a cane on the side opposite the involved
lower extremity?
A. Two-point gait
B. Three-point gait
C. Four-point gait
D. Standard reciprocal cane gait
Correct answer: D. Standard reciprocal cane gait
Explanation: A cane is generally held contralateral to the involved
leg to improve stability and reduce loading.
6. Which vital sign should cause a PTA to stop exercise
immediately?
A. Heart rate of 88 bpm
B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
C. New onset chest pain
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mmHg
Correct answer: C. New onset chest pain
, Explanation: New chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia
and requires immediate cessation and appropriate medical
evaluation.
7. Which muscle is the primary knee extensor?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Sartorius
Correct answer: B. Quadriceps femoris
Explanation: The quadriceps group produces knee extension and
is essential for standing and stair climbing.
8. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle
lengthens while producing tension?
A. Concentric
B. Isometric
C. Eccentric
D. Isokinetic
Correct answer: C. Eccentric
Explanation: During eccentric contraction, the muscle develops
tension while lengthening.
9. What is the primary purpose of a gait belt?
A. Correct posture
B. Increase walking speed
C. Improve safety during transfers and ambulation
D. Prevent all falls
Correct answer: C. Improve safety during transfers and
ambulation
, Explanation: A gait belt provides the clinician with a secure grasp
during mobility activities.
10. Which position places the greatest stress on the lumbar
spine during lifting?
A. Squatting with a neutral spine
B. Lifting close to the body
C. Bending and twisting simultaneously
D. Using the legs to lift
Correct answer: C. Bending and twisting simultaneously
Explanation: Combined spinal flexion and rotation increases
mechanical stress on lumbar structures.
11. Which modality uses high-frequency sound waves?
A. TENS
B. Ultrasound
C. Cryotherapy
D. Infrared radiation
Correct answer: B. Ultrasound
Explanation: Therapeutic ultrasound uses acoustic energy at
frequencies commonly between 1 and 3 MHz.
12. Which modality is primarily used to decrease pain through
electrical stimulation of sensory nerves?
A. TENS
B. Ultrasound
C. Paraffin
D. Whirlpool
Correct answer: A. TENS
Answers & Detailed Explanations | Physical Therapist Assistant
1. Which muscle is the primary hip extensor during a sit-to-stand
movement?
A. Iliopsoas
B. Gluteus maximus
C. Sartorius
D. Rectus femoris
Correct answer: B. Gluteus maximus
Explanation: The gluteus maximus is the strongest hip extensor
and contributes substantially to rising from a chair.
2. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions?
A. Sagittal
B. Transverse
C. Frontal
D. Oblique
Correct answer: C. Frontal
Explanation: The frontal plane separates the body into anterior
and posterior sections.
3. Which muscle is primarily responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Soleus
C. Tibialis anterior
D. Flexor hallucis longus
Correct answer: C. Tibialis anterior
, Explanation: Tibialis anterior is the primary dorsiflexor and also
assists with foot inversion.
4. A patient with a C6 spinal cord injury is most likely to retain
which movement?
A. Finger abduction
B. Elbow flexion
C. Ankle dorsiflexion
D. Hip extension
Correct answer: B. Elbow flexion
Explanation: C6 function includes elbow flexion through the
biceps and brachioradialis.
5. Which gait pattern uses a cane on the side opposite the involved
lower extremity?
A. Two-point gait
B. Three-point gait
C. Four-point gait
D. Standard reciprocal cane gait
Correct answer: D. Standard reciprocal cane gait
Explanation: A cane is generally held contralateral to the involved
leg to improve stability and reduce loading.
6. Which vital sign should cause a PTA to stop exercise
immediately?
A. Heart rate of 88 bpm
B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
C. New onset chest pain
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mmHg
Correct answer: C. New onset chest pain
, Explanation: New chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia
and requires immediate cessation and appropriate medical
evaluation.
7. Which muscle is the primary knee extensor?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Sartorius
Correct answer: B. Quadriceps femoris
Explanation: The quadriceps group produces knee extension and
is essential for standing and stair climbing.
8. Which type of muscle contraction occurs when a muscle
lengthens while producing tension?
A. Concentric
B. Isometric
C. Eccentric
D. Isokinetic
Correct answer: C. Eccentric
Explanation: During eccentric contraction, the muscle develops
tension while lengthening.
9. What is the primary purpose of a gait belt?
A. Correct posture
B. Increase walking speed
C. Improve safety during transfers and ambulation
D. Prevent all falls
Correct answer: C. Improve safety during transfers and
ambulation
, Explanation: A gait belt provides the clinician with a secure grasp
during mobility activities.
10. Which position places the greatest stress on the lumbar
spine during lifting?
A. Squatting with a neutral spine
B. Lifting close to the body
C. Bending and twisting simultaneously
D. Using the legs to lift
Correct answer: C. Bending and twisting simultaneously
Explanation: Combined spinal flexion and rotation increases
mechanical stress on lumbar structures.
11. Which modality uses high-frequency sound waves?
A. TENS
B. Ultrasound
C. Cryotherapy
D. Infrared radiation
Correct answer: B. Ultrasound
Explanation: Therapeutic ultrasound uses acoustic energy at
frequencies commonly between 1 and 3 MHz.
12. Which modality is primarily used to decrease pain through
electrical stimulation of sensory nerves?
A. TENS
B. Ultrasound
C. Paraffin
D. Whirlpool
Correct answer: A. TENS
