PTA BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A patient with bilateral gastrocnemius-soleus contractures tends to walk:
1. with an unstable knee.
2. with the feet in a plantar flexed position.
3. on the lateral sides of the feet.
4. with the feet in dorsiflexion. - Answer with the feet in a plantar flexed position.
A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient post ulnar fracture who has limited forearm supination. A common substitution to watch for when measuring forearm supination is:
1. shoulder internal rotation.
2. shoulder external rotation.
3. wrist radial deviation.
4. elbow flexion. - Answer shoulder external rotation.
How should a physical therapist assistant perform upper extremity passive range of motion exercises with a patient who has a recent complete spinal cord injury at C5-
C6?
1. Perform motions slowly and rhythmically.
2. Perform as many repetitions of the motions as tolerated.
3. Perform all motions smoothly but rapidly, to increase the patient's awareness of the extremity being exercised.
4. Support the extremity being exercised only minimally, to allow the patient to use any available strength to assist in the exercise - Answer Perform motions slowly and rhythmically.
Rationale: Performing slow, rhythmic motion is the best method for the patient. Slow, smooth range of motion is needed to avoid triggering the stretch reflex, as spasticity may develop below the level of the spinal cord lesion.
A physical therapist assistant is instructed to avoid positions or activities that will reinforce a child's asymmetric tonic neck reflex to the right. The assistant should AVOID turning the child's head to the right because this will result in:
1. flexion of the right arm and extension of the left arm.
2. segmental rotation of the trunk to follow the head.
3. extension of the right arm and flexion of the left arm.
4. flexion of the arms and extension of the legs. - Answer extension of the right arm and flexion of the left arm.
A patient with a thoracic kyphosis will have primary musculoskeletal restrictions of the:
1. middle trapezius.
2. rhomboids.
3. erector spinae.
4. pectorals. - Answer pectorals.
Rationale: The pectorals will be shortened, which will cause restrictions in movement.
A patient with bilateral gastrocnemius-soleus contractures tends to walk:
1. with an unstable knee.
2. with the feet in a plantar flexed position.
3. on the lateral sides of the feet.
4. with the feet in dorsiflexion. - Answer with the feet in a plantar flexed position.
A physical therapist assistant is treating a patient post ulnar fracture who has limited forearm supination. A common substitution to watch for when measuring forearm supination is:
1. shoulder internal rotation.
2. shoulder external rotation.
3. wrist radial deviation.
4. elbow flexion. - Answer shoulder external rotation.
How should a physical therapist assistant perform upper extremity passive range of motion exercises with a patient who has a recent complete spinal cord injury at C5-
C6?
1. Perform motions slowly and rhythmically.
2. Perform as many repetitions of the motions as tolerated.
3. Perform all motions smoothly but rapidly, to increase the patient's awareness of the extremity being exercised.
4. Support the extremity being exercised only minimally, to allow the patient to use any available strength to assist in the exercise - Answer Perform motions slowly and rhythmically.
Rationale: Performing slow, rhythmic motion is the best method for the patient. Slow, smooth range of motion is needed to avoid triggering the stretch reflex, as spasticity may develop below the level of the spinal cord lesion.
A physical therapist assistant is instructed to avoid positions or activities that will reinforce a child's asymmetric tonic neck reflex to the right. The assistant should AVOID turning the child's head to the right because this will result in:
1. flexion of the right arm and extension of the left arm.
2. segmental rotation of the trunk to follow the head.
3. extension of the right arm and flexion of the left arm.
4. flexion of the arms and extension of the legs. - Answer extension of the right arm and flexion of the left arm.
A patient with a thoracic kyphosis will have primary musculoskeletal restrictions of the:
1. middle trapezius.
2. rhomboids.
3. erector spinae.
4. pectorals. - Answer pectorals.
Rationale: The pectorals will be shortened, which will cause restrictions in movement.
