NPTE-PTA Study Guide 2026/2027 | 300+ Practice Questions,
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales | Physical Therapy
Data Collection & Interventions
1. A PTA is assessing a patient with knee osteoarthritis. Which
finding is MOST consistent with this condition?
A. Pain that improves with prolonged activity
B. Joint pain and stiffness that commonly worsen with activity
C. Severe systemic fatigue and fever
D. Symmetric small-joint inflammation with prolonged morning
stiffness
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition
commonly associated with activity-related pain, stiffness, and
reduced joint mobility.
2. Which muscle is the primary contributor to shoulder abduction
from approximately 15° to 90°?
A. Deltoid
B. Pectoralis major
C. Latissimus dorsi
D. Teres major
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The deltoid is the primary muscle responsible for
shoulder abduction after the initial movement initiated by the
supraspinatus.
3. A patient demonstrates weakness with elbow extension. Which
muscle should the PTA suspect?
A. Biceps brachii
, B. Brachialis
C. Triceps brachii
D. Brachioradialis
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The triceps brachii is the primary elbow extensor.
4. Which ligament primarily prevents excessive anterior translation
of the tibia on the femur?
A. PCL
B. ACL
C. MCL
D. LCL
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The anterior cruciate ligament resists anterior
translation of the tibia and contributes to rotational stability of the
knee.
5. A patient has difficulty maintaining balance when standing with
the feet together and eyes closed. This finding MOST strongly
suggests dependence on which sensory system?
A. Auditory system
B. Visual system
C. Somatosensory system
D. Olfactory system
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Removing vision increases reliance on somatosensory
and vestibular information for postural control.
6. 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. Two-point gait
B. Four-point gait
C. Three-point gait
D. Swing-through gait only
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A three-point gait is commonly used when one lower
extremity is non-weight-bearing.
7. When fitting axillary crutches, the top of the crutch should
generally be positioned:
A. Directly against the axilla
B. Approximately 2–3 finger widths below the axilla
C. At the level of the iliac crest
D. At the level of the greater trochanter
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Proper clearance helps prevent excessive pressure on
the axillary neurovascular structures.
8. Which assistive device is generally held in the hand opposite an
involved lower extremity?
A. Cane
B. Walker
C. Bilateral crutches
D. Platform walker
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Holding a cane contralaterally can improve unloading
and provide a more effective support base.
, 9. Which muscle is primarily responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Soleus
C. Tibialis anterior
D. Flexor hallucis longus
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Tibialis anterior is the major dorsiflexor of the ankle.
10. A patient with a spinal cord injury at C6 would MOST likely
have preserved voluntary control of which movement?
A. Elbow extension
B. Wrist extension
C. Finger abduction
D. Trunk rotation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: C6 neurological function includes wrist extension,
although functional abilities vary among individuals.
11. Which vital sign should cause the PTA to immediately stop
exercise and assess the patient?
A. Mild increase in heart rate
B. New onset of chest pain
C. Slight increase in respiratory rate
D. Mild sweating during exercise
Correct answer: B
Rationale: New chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia or
another serious cardiovascular problem and requires immediate
attention.
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales | Physical Therapy
Data Collection & Interventions
1. A PTA is assessing a patient with knee osteoarthritis. Which
finding is MOST consistent with this condition?
A. Pain that improves with prolonged activity
B. Joint pain and stiffness that commonly worsen with activity
C. Severe systemic fatigue and fever
D. Symmetric small-joint inflammation with prolonged morning
stiffness
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition
commonly associated with activity-related pain, stiffness, and
reduced joint mobility.
2. Which muscle is the primary contributor to shoulder abduction
from approximately 15° to 90°?
A. Deltoid
B. Pectoralis major
C. Latissimus dorsi
D. Teres major
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The deltoid is the primary muscle responsible for
shoulder abduction after the initial movement initiated by the
supraspinatus.
3. A patient demonstrates weakness with elbow extension. Which
muscle should the PTA suspect?
A. Biceps brachii
, B. Brachialis
C. Triceps brachii
D. Brachioradialis
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The triceps brachii is the primary elbow extensor.
4. Which ligament primarily prevents excessive anterior translation
of the tibia on the femur?
A. PCL
B. ACL
C. MCL
D. LCL
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The anterior cruciate ligament resists anterior
translation of the tibia and contributes to rotational stability of the
knee.
5. A patient has difficulty maintaining balance when standing with
the feet together and eyes closed. This finding MOST strongly
suggests dependence on which sensory system?
A. Auditory system
B. Visual system
C. Somatosensory system
D. Olfactory system
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Removing vision increases reliance on somatosensory
and vestibular information for postural control.
6. 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. Two-point gait
B. Four-point gait
C. Three-point gait
D. Swing-through gait only
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A three-point gait is commonly used when one lower
extremity is non-weight-bearing.
7. When fitting axillary crutches, the top of the crutch should
generally be positioned:
A. Directly against the axilla
B. Approximately 2–3 finger widths below the axilla
C. At the level of the iliac crest
D. At the level of the greater trochanter
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Proper clearance helps prevent excessive pressure on
the axillary neurovascular structures.
8. Which assistive device is generally held in the hand opposite an
involved lower extremity?
A. Cane
B. Walker
C. Bilateral crutches
D. Platform walker
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Holding a cane contralaterally can improve unloading
and provide a more effective support base.
, 9. Which muscle is primarily responsible for ankle dorsiflexion?
A. Gastrocnemius
B. Soleus
C. Tibialis anterior
D. Flexor hallucis longus
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Tibialis anterior is the major dorsiflexor of the ankle.
10. A patient with a spinal cord injury at C6 would MOST likely
have preserved voluntary control of which movement?
A. Elbow extension
B. Wrist extension
C. Finger abduction
D. Trunk rotation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: C6 neurological function includes wrist extension,
although functional abilities vary among individuals.
11. Which vital sign should cause the PTA to immediately stop
exercise and assess the patient?
A. Mild increase in heart rate
B. New onset of chest pain
C. Slight increase in respiratory rate
D. Mild sweating during exercise
Correct answer: B
Rationale: New chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia or
another serious cardiovascular problem and requires immediate
attention.
